Two young filmmakers, producer Pape Abdoulaye Seck and director Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Diouf, decided to shed light on a phenomenon that is plaguing Senegalese youth: the rise of sports betting as a survival strategy. Their documentary, "Xaliss Franc-Jeux," shines a spotlight on a taboo reality: that of a generation of graduates who are marginalized and see chance as an escape from poverty.

The title is a manifesto. “Xaliss,” which means money in Wolof, associated with games of chance, reflects the moral and economic dilemma of a youth in search of guidance.

The director doesn't condemn, he observes. His observation is clear. "If betting appears as a social and religious dead end, it is also a symptom of deep frustration. Faced with unemployment, chance becomes the only interlocutor for some," explains Cheikh Tidiane Diouf, the director.

Trade as an act of resistance

But the documentary doesn't stop at simply stating the facts. It highlights another path: that of small businesses. Far from being an inevitability, it is presented as a form of resistance, an affirmation of dignity. By filming those who produce and sell, the filmmakers remind us that there is no such thing as a "small" job, but rather steps toward self-sufficiency. The message is clear: "Sustainable success requires perseverance and effort."

Lël Ciné, a factory of citizens

This project was born thanks to the Lël Ciné program, initiated in 2022 by producer Pape Abdoulaye Seck. More than just technical training, it allowed participants to showcase their skills. "We had twenty young people participate, ten boys and ten girls, with two places reserved for the inclusion of two people with disabilities. They took up the camera to tell their own stories. Some are now pursuing specialized studies, while others hold positions of responsibility in companies," Pape Abdoulaye Seck proudly announced.

SangomArt Original implemented the “Lël ciné” residency linking the creative professions of cinema and audiovisual with technical, digital and technological professions for a real empowerment of young people in “capacitation” of self-employment,” he explained.

A political and civic tool

Released during Ramadan, the four films produced by SangomArt Original transcend mere entertainment. They become political tools, in the truest sense of the word. By exposing the roots of hardship and the lack of opportunities, these young filmmakers directly challenge those in power.

"Xaliss Franc-Jeux" reminds us that behind every bet placed in a local kiosk, there is a generation that is going further astray," concludes the young producer.