This is one of those movies that starts out being about one thing, then takes a turn into something else, then, in the last act, brings in the horror/supernatural element before ending, at least philosophically where it ended; with a quote about the price of revenge.
In the beginning we see three mercenaries who are knee deep in carnage – looks like a whole village has been wiped out by gunfire, and maybe they’re responsible for some it. Taking a Mexican drug dealer hostage, along with some heavy bars of old, they set out in a 4-seat Cessna to make their getaway to friendlier climes.
Heading north toward Senegal, a shot has pierced their fuel tank and they’re forced to land. The trio’s leader, Chaka (Yann Gael), lands in a remote area that he actually knows – just an 8 hour walk and they’ll be able to get fuel and resin for the hole in the tank.
The threesome end up at a makeshift lodge- an almost primitive resort with good alcohol at the bar and a hut for them to sleep in for a few days while they rest and prepare top get their supplies.
They have, in fact, arrived at the titular place of Saloum, where a friendly proprietor called Omar (Bruno Henry), welcomes them with open arms, unlike the other guests who seem to be throwing suspicious side-eyes at them.
So, it’s at this place where something will go down that is a major spoiler which I will not reveal, but it’s a change of direction and a couple of big reveals as to why these guys ended up at this place.
Furthermore, there is the last third or less where we come to the part that might have qualified this film as something to stream on Shudder. I much prefer real stuff to supernatural, but the West African locations and the authentic characters allow one to suspend disbelief, even if the “entity” looks like a moving swarm of insects ( to my bad eyesight) and qualifies as a minor let down for me.
That said, the poetic finale brings one back round to realize that Congolese filmmaker Jean Luc Herbulot has made a film that you haven’t seen before – locations you may have never seen in a film. And indelible characters like the deaf resort guest, Awa (Evelyne Ily Juhen), who throws more sand into the gears by threatening to expose the mercenaries to the resort owner if they don’t agree to take her with them.
And that’s as far as I’ll go. Is it horror? I dunno anymore. I don’t care, either. These actors are amazing and my curiosity was rewarded with a film that clips along (only about 80 minutes) and shows me so many new things- I might just watch it again.
‘Saloum’ is currently streaming on Shudder