MALIAN filmmaker Souleymane Cissé, a trailblazer of African cinema, has passed away at the age of 84. His daughter, Mariam Cissé, confirmed his death at a clinic in Bamako, expressing grief over the loss of a man who dedicated his life to storytelling and cinema.
The exact cause of his death has not been announced.
A legacy of groundbreaking cinema
Cissé’s career, which spanned over five decades, left an indelible mark on African and global cinema. He gained international acclaim in 1987 when his film Yeelen (The Light) won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival—a historic moment as the first Black African filmmaker to receive the award.
His body of work, known for its depth, social commentary, and artistic boldness, includes classics such as:
- Den Muso (The Young Girl) (1975) – a groundbreaking film in the Bambara language, it was banned in Mali for tackling sensitive social issues.
- Baara (Work) (1978) – a powerful drama exploring labour rights and inequality.
- Finyè (The Wind) (1981) – a politically charged film about youth resistance.
- Waati (Time) (1995) – his last major film, reflecting on colonialism and African identity.
A champion for African filmmakers
Beyond his contributions as a director, Cissé was a tireless advocate for African cinema. He pushed for greater independence in African filmmaking, often criticising censorship and Western financial dependency.
As the founding president of West Africa’s cinema and audiovisual arts union, he fought for government investment in film production and exhibition infrastructure. In one of his final public statements, he urged Mali’s military government to support local filmmakers, stressing that ‘it is not enough to make cinema; the works must also be visible.’
Tributes pour in for an African cinema icon
Following his passing, tributes have flooded in from across Africa and the global film industry.
Mali’s Culture Minister Mamou Daffé mourned the loss of a ‘monument of African cinema,’ while fellow filmmaker Boubacar Sidibé said the country’s film industry was in mourning.
Cissé was due to preside over the jury at the upcoming FESPACO Pan-African Film Festival in Burkina Faso—a festival where he had twice won the grand prize.
His influence, both as a filmmaker and an advocate for African storytelling, will continue to shape generations of filmmakers.
