Malian Filmmaker Souleymane Cissé Dies at 84

Renowned Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cissé, a pioneer of African cinema, has died at the age of 84. His daughter confirmed his passing on Wednesday, marking the end of a trailblazing career that spanned over five decades.  

Cissé gained international recognition in 1987 when his film ‘Yeelen’ (‘Brightness’), inspired by the legends of West Africa’s Bambara people, won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2023, he received Cannes’ prestigious Carrosse d’Or for his lasting impact on cinema.  

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Tributes have poured in from across the film industry. Malian director Boubacar Sidibé described his death as a major loss, while Minister of Culture Mamou Daffé called him a “monument of African cinema.” The Film at Lincoln Center also hailed Cissé’s work for elevating African storytelling on the global stage.