Souleymane Cissé was a Malian filmmaker whose work, especially 1987’s “Yeelen,” has been cited as among the greatest-ever examples of African cinema.
- Died: February 19, 2025 (Who else died on February 19?)
- Details of death: Died in Bamako, Mali at the age of 84.
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Souleymane Cissé’s legacy
Cissé’s work as a director and filmmaker went beyond mere entertainment, becoming culturally relevant landmarks that have helped bring attention to the power of African cinema. He worked as a projectionist for a time, then produced short documentaries for the Mali Ministry of Information before beginning his own creative journey through film.
His first feature length film was 1975’s “Den Muso,” variously translated as “The Young Girl,” or “The Girl.” The work was met with controversy, with its bleak depiction of the treatment of women and socioeconomic conditions in Mali, leading to it being censored by the Malian Minister of Culture. His future efforts retained this eye for social issues. In 1982, he directed “Finyé (Wind),” which explored Malian youth rebelling against establishment figures. It became his second film to win the Yenenga’s Talon, awarded at the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, following 1978’s “Baara (Work).”
Cissé came to worldwide acclaim in 1987 with “Yeelen,” meaning “brightness.” A work of magical realism set in pre-industrial Africa, his film was nominated for the Golden Palm, won the Jury Prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for Best International Film at the Independent Spirit Awards. It’s been called one of the greatest African films ever made. It so moved director Martin Scorsese, he was inspired to create the World Cinema Project, a nonprofit group devoted to preserving overlooked cinema from around the world, so that films like “Yeelen” are not lost.
Other notable works of Cissé’s include “Waati,” “Tell Me Who You Are” and “O Ka.” In 2023, the Cannes Film Festival honored him with the Carrosse d’Or award for his contributions to film.
Tributes to Souleymane Cissé
Full obituary: The New York Times
