Souleymane Cissé: Pioneering Malian Director and Cannes Winner Passes Away

Souleymane Cissé, acclaimed as a foundational figure of African filmmaking, has died, leaving a deep impact on the industry and inspiring generations.

Malian film director Souleymane Cissé, an iconic figure in African cinema, has passed away at the age of 84. His daughter, Mariam Cissé, confirmed the sad news from a clinic in Bamako, mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to the art of film. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Cissé gained worldwide fame in 1987 as the first filmmaker from sub-Saharan Africa to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving the Jury Prize for his groundbreaking film Yeelen (The Light). Over a prolific career spanning five decades, he amassed numerous accolades, including a Carrosse d'Or award from Cannes in 2023, honoring those directors who have significantly shaped the history of cinema.

Notably, Cissé was set to preside over the jury at the upcoming Pan-African Film Festival in Burkina Faso, set to commence this Saturday. The announcement of his death has led to a wave of tributes, with Mali’s Culture Minister Mamou Daffé expressing deep sorrow for the loss of a "monument of African cinema." Fellow filmmaker Boubacar Sidibé echoed this sentiment, declaring a state of mourning in the Malian film industry.

Known for his complex storytelling and political engagement, Cissé's first feature, Den Muso (The Young Girl), released in 1975, challenged societal norms and faced censorship upon its release. Despite the personal risks, including imprisonment for accepting French funding, Cissé remained committed to addressing Africa's struggles and narratives through film. His oeuvre includes formative works like Baara (Work), Finyè (The Wind), and his final film, Waati (Time), released in 1995.

Born in Bamako, Mali, and raised partly in Senegal, Cissé pursued cinematic education in Moscow, becoming part of a pioneering generation of African filmmakers. He actively advocated for government investment in cinema and served as the founding president of a union for West African cinema entrepreneurs. Cissé was outspoken against censorship and urged young filmmakers to seek financial independence rather than relying on foreign funding.

Just hours before his passing, he urged Mali's military rulers to bolster the country’s film industry, saying, "It is not enough to create cinema; the works must be visible." His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of filmmakers across Africa and beyond.