AllMovie

The story of a west African tribe uprising against the ruling Portuguese is portrayed in the Dutch/Guinea-Bissau historical drama that also provides a rare, beautifully photographed view of that area and it's cultures. The story is set in a peaceful village in the Xime area of Guinea during 1963. Life in Bedan's home village is quiet. The elders in their tribe espouse a philosophy of non-violence. While Bedan follows the traditionally peaceful path, his elder brother Raul is a revolutionary fighting in the city against the Portuguese oppressors. He returns to Xime to convince others to join the cause. The authorities learn of Raul's plan and are out to capture and vanquish him. Much of village life is depicted in the film, including the male rite-of-passage ceremony where the men must dress as women to demonstrate their commitment to become nonviolent adults. It is during this ceremony that Raul falls into after he has been fatally wounded. Upon witnessing his brother's death, Bedan, who is in the ceremony knows it is time to fight back. The rest of the village agrees, and an insurrection is in the offing.