Sembène Ousmane, a pioneering figure in African literature and cinema, made his literary debut with the novel Le Docker noir in 1956. This work drew heavily from his personal experiences as an African dockworker in France, exploring themes of race and exile. His subsequent novel, O pays, mon beau peuple! (1957), depicted the struggles of a Senegalese war veteran who returns to his village with dreams of agricultural modernization. Despite the compelling nature of these narratives, neither achieved the widespread acclaim garnered by his later work, God’s Bits of Wood. This novel, a cornerstone of postcolonial literature, scrutinized the injustices of colonialism and catapulted Sembène into the limelight both in France and internationally.

Building on this acclaim, Sembène transitioned to a nuanced critique of post-independence Africa, examining the ensuing political and social turmoil. Among these explorations, Xala (1973), translated into English in 1976, stands out as a seminal work, deftly illustrating the complexities of newly independent African societies.

Upon returning to Senegal in 1961, Sembène realized that literature alone had limited reach among his fellow Africans. Driven by a desire to communicate his messages more broadly, he embraced the cinematic medium, honing his skills in cinematography abroad. This strategic shift enabled him to adapt his narratives for the screen, significantly amplifying their impact. Through this dual mastery of literature and film, Sembène emerged not only as a central figure in African storytelling but also as a visionary filmmaker whose works continue to resonate deeply within African and global contexts.