In brief
Souléymane Cissé, who gained international acclaim for his film "Yeelen" and was a prominent figure in promoting African storytelling in cinema, passed away in Bamako, Mali, shortly after an engaging news conference.
Souléymane Cissé, the legendary Malian filmmaker known for his pivotal role in elevating African cinema, has died at the age of 84 in Bamako, Mali. His passing was confirmed by close friend and French film producer François Margolin.Prior to his death, Cissé had participated in a lively news conference on Wednesday morning, where he presented two awards ahead of the prestigious Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, commonly referred to as Fespaco. He was set to lead the jury for the event. After the conference, where he was described as being "talking and joking," he retired for a nap and did not awaken.Cissé rose to prominence in international cinema with his film "Yeelen" ("Light"), released in 1987. The film received critical acclaim, winning the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and earning a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the 1989 Spirit Awards. Renowned director Martin Scorsese praised "Yeelen," describing it as "one of the great revelatory experiences of my moviegoing life."Throughout his prolific career spanning over 50 years, Cissé remained an energetic advocate for African cinema, traveling and working on multiple projects right up to the end of his life. His legacy is indelibly marked by his commitment to portraying the richness of African culture and narratives in film.
