Souleymane Cissé, The ‘Father Of African Cinema’, Dies At 84

On Wednesday, Malian film director Souleymane Cissé died at the age of 84, marking the end of an era for African cinema. His death was announced by his daughter, Mariam Cissé. “Papa died today in Bamako. We are all in shock. He dedicated all his life to his country, to cinema and to art,” she said in a statement. 

Known as the “father of African cinema” following a prolific career spanning over five decades, Cissé made a monumental mark on the African film industry. His work became renowned for its humanism and political engagement, while his devotion to giving African stories a voice was globally admired. 

Hours before his death, Cissé was reported to have urged Mali’s military government to support the cinematic future of the country. “It is not enough to make cinema, the works must also be visible,” Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported him saying. Encouraging officials to build more cinemas for African stories to be shared, he continued, “May the authorities help us with the construction of cinemas. This is the appeal I make to them before my death, if God wills it.” Cissé had plans to fly to Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, the following day to administer the 29th edition of the festival’s jury beginning on Feb 21. 

Cissé won many awards as a symbol of his pivotal career, with his movie Yeelen being one of his most celebrated works. In 1987, he was the first African filmmaker to be honored for a feature film at the Cannes Film Festival for Yeelen, which draws upon the Bambara folklore of West Africa. More recently in 2023, he received the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Carrosse d’Or award, which celebrates filmmakers for their “innovative qualities.” He is also one of the only directors to have twice won the grand prize at the Burkina Faso’s Pan-African Film and Television Festival.

Cissé’s death has brought forth honorable tributes regarding the trailblazing impressions he made in the industry. Malian director Boubacar Sidibe shared a message on Facebook saying that the country’s film industry was in “mourning,” following his death.  In a statement made by Mamou Daffe, Mali’s Minister of Culture, he grieved the loss, “of this monument of African cinema.”