Documentary

Made in Senegal

Name: Made in Senegal
Director: Mehdi Benhadj-Djilali, Peta Jenkin, Jermain Raffington
Released: 2020
Duration: 72 min

Mehdi Benhadj-Djilali, Peta Jenkin, Jermain Raffington

2020

Mehdi Benhadj-Djilali, Peta Jenkin, Jermain Raffington · 2020 · Germany/Senegal

Follows young Senegalese players' path from academies to professional trials in Europe, framed by Sadio Mané's own story.

A grounded look at the pipeline of hope and heartbreak facing West African football talent bound for Europe.

The Historian

Made in Senegal is a poignant documentation of the long-held aspiration among young Senegalese players to secure professional contracts abroad, a pursuit exemplified by Sadio Mané's remarkable journey from Dakar's streets to Liverpool's pitch. This film preserves the human cost and cultural significance behind West Africa's rich football heritage, shedding light on the systemic challenges and triumphs of its most.

The Psychologist

This documentary is a nuanced exploration of immigrant identity and the psychological toll of striving for success in a foreign land. Sadio Mané's narrative serves as a proxy for the universal human desire to belong, while his journey highlights the emotional cost of pursuing one's dreams through a culture that often fetishizes achievement over well-being.

The Sceptic

This film's laudable goal is often lost behind its noble narrative, which risks sanitizing the complexities of Africa-Europe migration. By focusing on one player's success story, Made in Senegal may inadvertently obscure the systemic issues driving West Africans into professional soccer. Does it truly confront the harsh realities or simply serve as a feel-good tale?

These are interpretations written in three voices, not quotations from any individual.

Language: French/Wolof/English
Length: 72 min
Subject: Sadio Mané's journey from Senegal
Region: Africa
Tone: Celebratory
Difficulty: Newcomer

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