Souleymane Cisse, pioneer of African cinema, dies at 84

Dakar: Souleymane Cisse, a key figure in African cinema, has passed away at the age of 84 at a clinic in Bamako, Mali, his daughter confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.

"Papa died today in Bamako. We are all in shock. He dedicated all his life to his country, to cinema and to art," Mariam Cisse said.

Cisse’s contribution to the world of film was immense, with his groundbreaking work winning international acclaim. In 1987, he received the Jury’s Prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for his film Yeelen ("Brightness"). The film, which draws from the legends of West Africa’s Bambara people, became the first African film to win an award at Cannes.

In 2023, Cisse was honoured once again at Cannes, this time with the Carrosse d'Or. This esteemed award recognises directors who have significantly shaped the history of cinema with their boldness, high standards, and uncompromising approach to filmmaking.

Recognition, achievements

Throughout his career, Cisse was celebrated for his contributions to African cinema, becoming one of only two filmmakers to win the grand prize at Burkina Faso's Panafrican Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) twice. FESPACO is one of the largest and most respected film festivals in Africa.

The director was scheduled to travel to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, to head the jury for the 29th edition of FESPACO, which was set to begin on February 22.

In a 2011 interview with AFP, Cisse encouraged the new generation of African filmmakers to seek financial independence from European sources. He expressed concern about the "miserabilist" approach to filmmaking, describing it as a cycle where young filmmakers were "beggars who must plead every time for financing from Europe."

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