The African film community is mourning the loss of Souleymane Cissé, the Malian cinematic trailblazer who died Wednesday at 84. His passing comes just days before the 29th FESPACO film festival in Burkina Faso - an event he helped promote through his final public appearance.
Cissé's groundbreaking 1987 Cannes Film Festival victory for Yeelen (The Light) revolutionized global perceptions of African cinema. During his 50-year career, he earned:
- Cannes' 1987 Jury Prize
- 2023 Carrosse d'Or lifetime achievement award
- Two Étalon d'Or de Yennenga wins at FESPACO
He dedicated all his life to his country, to cinema and to art,stated daughter Mariam Cissé, reflecting widespread grief across Mali's cultural institutions. The government noted his recent work preparing trophies for FESPACO 2023, which opens Saturday in Ouagadougou.
Born in Bamako, Cissé blended Moscow film education with West African storytelling traditions. As president of the Union of Creators and Entrepreneurs of Cinema and Audiovisuals of West Africa, he championed socio-political narratives like 1982's Finye (The Wind), which critiqued military regimes through allegorical storytelling.
Industry leaders praise Cissé's humanist approach that elevated Malian voices while achieving international acclaim. His death creates a poignant moment for FESPACCO attendees, who'll honor his legacy through screenings of restored classics like Baara (Work) and Waati (Time).
