(1/14/01)
On a second viewing, a couple of things in this film became clearer. Diouana can understand directions in French, but she can only speak a few words, such as, "Oui, monsieur." Thus she has no effective means to express herself.
What is not clear is why the woman who employs her becomes so unpleasant. In Dakar she had given Diouana her old dresses, so why does she suddenly start snapping at her when they are all in France? The lack of communication doesn't explain it.
It is so poignant to see Diouana's excitement about getting the job when you know what it will lead to. She is so happy, running around telling everyone that she knows.
Diouana says internally that her mother didn't write the letter she received. So it seems that neither one of them can write. I noticed this time that the mother's letter is (at least partly) a request for Diouana to send her some money. She complains about how poor she is. That adds an extra bit of punch to the scene towards the end when she refuses to accept Diouana's wages.
The people who visit Diouana's employers for lunch discuss the situation in Africa. I don't have the background to really appreciate this conversation.
There is one moment that struck me this time around. Diouana gaily skips around on the top of a monument. The man she is with becomes angry and tells her to come down. I didn't grasp the significance of it, but I appreciated how alive and vital Diouana seemed.
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