Celebrated Malian Filmmaker Souleymane Cissé Passes Away at 84

The film world mourns the loss of Souleymane Cissé, an influential Malian filmmaker, who passed away at the age of 84 just after presenting awards at a film festival. His groundbreaking work, notably "Yeelen," won prestigious accolades and left an indelible mark on global cinema.

Souleymane Cissé, an acclaimed Malian filmmaker whose contributions were crucial in redefining African cinema, died on Wednesday in Bamako, Mali, at the age of 84. His passing was confirmed by François Margolin, a French producer and close friend, who noted the filmmaker had been active until just before his death.

Cissé's cinematic journey gained international recognition with his landmark film, “Yeelen,” released in 1987. The narrative, which translates to “Light” in his native Bambara language, captivated audiences and critics alike, earning him the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and a nomination for Best Foreign Film at the 1989 Spirit Awards. Celebrated director Martin Scorsese praised the film as “one of the great revelatory experiences of my moviegoing life.”

Just hours before his passing, Cissé attended a press conference in preparation for the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, also known as Fespaco, where he was slated to serve as a jury head. After the event, where he was seen engaging in light-hearted conversation, Cissé reportedly took a nap and did not awaken.

Throughout his five-decade career, Cissé became a vital champion of storytelling in African cinema, inspiring generations of filmmakers and audiences. Even late in life, he remained committed to artistic endeavors, traveling globally and fostering the growth of cinema in Africa. His legacy endures in the films he created and the cultural conversations he ignited.