In brief
Famed for works like "Yeelen," he made history as the first Black African to win at Cannes and continued to inspire until his final days.
Souleymane Cissé, the acclaimed Malian filmmaker who marked a significant presence in African cinema, passed away on Wednesday in Bamako, Mali, at the age of 84. His close friend, French film producer François Margolin, confirmed the news. Just hours before his death, Cissé had been energetically participating in a press conference to present awards for the upcoming Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Fespaco), where he was set to serve as jury head.Cissé gained international acclaim following the success of "Yeelen" (translated as "Light" in Bambara) in 1987. The film not only won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival but also earned a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the 1989 Spirit Awards. Esteemed filmmaker Martin Scorsese praised the film as “one of the great revelatory experiences of my moviegoing life.”Throughout his prolific 50-year career, Cissé championed African narratives and culture through his cinematic artistry. Even up to the end of his life, he demonstrated remarkable vitality, engaging in projects and travel around the globe. According to Margolin, after an energetic presentation that morning, Cissé retired for a nap and did not wake up, a testament to his lifelong dedication and passion for film.
