Thu Feb 20 07:02:09 UTC 2025: ## Malian Cinema Legend Souleymane Cissé Dies at 84
**Bamako, Mali** – Renowned Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cissé, a giant of African cinema, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84, his daughter Mariam Cissé announced. Cissé, considered a pioneer of African filmmaking, leaves behind a half-century legacy marked by powerful storytelling, deep humanism, and a strong commitment to political engagement.
His acclaimed film, “Yeelen” (“Brightness”), won the Jury Prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, making it the first African film to receive such recognition at the prestigious event. Cannes further honored Cissé in 2023 with the Carrosse d’Or, an award celebrating directors who have significantly impacted cinema history. Tragically, this award was stolen from his home in 2024 before being recovered.
Cissé’s contributions to African cinema were widely lauded. Fellow Malian director Boubacar Sidibe declared the nation’s film industry in mourning, while the Minister of Culture, Mamou Daffe, mourned the loss of a “monument of African cinema.” The Film at Lincoln Center also praised Cissé as “one of cinema’s greats,” highlighting “Yeelen’s” impact in catapulting African film onto the global stage. He was one of only two filmmakers to win the grand prize twice at the FESPACO, a major Pan-African film festival.
Even on the day of his death, Cissé remained committed to advocating for African cinema. He urged Mali’s military leaders to support the growth of the national film industry, criticizing the lack of distribution opportunities for African films and calling for increased investment in cinema infrastructure. His death comes as Mali declared 2025 a “year of culture,” underscoring the urgency of his final plea. Cissé was scheduled to head the features jury at the 29th edition of FESPACO in Ouagadougou this week. His passing leaves a profound void in the world of cinema and a lasting legacy of cultural significance.
First Piper 