The Pirogue

Pirogue is the name of the small fishing boats that, between 2008 and 2010, took 50 000 West Africans out on the Atlantic, in hope of a better life in Europe. The Pirogue tells the story of one man who was so lucky as to return safely home after this high-risk journey. Baye Laye is a fisherman and caretaker for his wife and young son. Since his parents died, he has also been looking after his younger brother, but the relationship between the two is rather dysfunctional. When his brother decides to go with the next Pirogue to Europe, Baye Laye takes on the heavy and dangerous task of driving the boat with thirty people across the Atlantic. mfe

Suitable only for persons 15 years and older.

The Pirogue is Senegalese director Moussa Touré's third feature. Tourè's films have been well received at international festivals throughout the years, the best known being the comedy TGV (1998). The Pirogue was nominated in the category Un Certain Regard at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.