Souleymane Cissé, Influential Malian Director, Dies at 84
Souleymane Cissé, the esteemed Malian director known for winning the Cannes Jury Prize for “Yeelen,” has died at 84. He remained active until his passing, recently attending a festival event. His significant contributions to cinema and storytelling have left a profound impact on the industry and inspired many beyond Africa.
Souleymane Cissé, a revered Malian filmmaker who made history by being the first filmmaker from sub-Saharan Africa to win a significant award at Cannes with his 1987 film “Yeelen,” has passed away at the age of 84. Until his last days, he remained active in the film industry, recently participating in a press conference related to the Fespaco festival. His daughter, Mariam Cissé, expressed grief, stating, “Papa died today in Bamako. We are all in shock. He dedicated all his life to his country, to cinema and to art.”
Cissé was set to serve as the jury president at the upcoming Fespaco festival in Burkina Faso. Born in Bamako in 1940, Cissé developed a passion for cinema early on. After completing secondary education in Senegal, he moved to Russia to study at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, returning to Mali in 1970.
He began his career by creating documentaries and short films before moving on to narrative filmmaking, with notable works such as “Five Days In A Life” (1973). This film depicts a young boy who, after leaving a Koranic school, resorts to petty crime. His feature debut, “The Girl,” portrayed the harrowing story of a mute girl facing societal rejection after becoming pregnant through rape, leading to its ban by the Malian Ministry of Culture.
Despite an arrest on charges related to external funding, Cissé skillfully utilized his incarceration to craft the screenplay for the film “Work,” which ultimately won Fespaco’s prestigious Yenenga’s Talon prize in 1979. His landmark film, “Yeelen,” featured a narrative about a young man with magical abilities and garnered him acclaim outside Africa, winning the Cannes Jury Prize.
Cissé also participated in Cannes previously with “The Wind” in 1982 and returned with the apartheid-themed film “Waati” in 1995. His later works, including “Tell Me Who You Are” and “Our House,” addressed personal and societal issues, receiving special screenings at festivals in 2009 and 2015.
Most recently, Cissé was celebrated at Cannes 2023 with the Carrosse d’Or award, honoring filmmakers who have expanded cinematic horizons, joining notable past recipients like Martin Scorsese and Jane Campion.
The passing of Souleymane Cissé marks a significant loss in the film industry, where he was a pioneer for African cinema. His storytelling shed light on critical social issues, leaving a lasting legacy. Cissé’s accomplishments in cinema not only elevated Malian cinema but also contributed to the global recognition of African filmmakers, inspiring future generations to explore and express their narratives.
Original Source: deadline.com
