Souleymane CISSE

Director, Director, Actor

Mali

Souleymane CISSE

Born in Bamako (Mali) in 1940, Souleymane Cissé completed his secondary education in Dakar, then obtained a scholarship to study at the VGIK in Moscow. Upon his return, he became a photojournalist for the Malian Ministry of Information film section. In 1975, he shot Den Muso (The Young Girl), Mali's first feature-length fiction film in the Bambara language, which was immediately banned by the authorities. It was followed by Baara (The Porter) in 1977, Finyè (The Wind) in 1981, and his masterpiece Yeelen (Brightness), which won the Cannes Jury Prize in 1987. His last film Waati (Time), also selected for Cannes, dates back to 1995. His most recent unrealeased films include Un Malien à Paris, Le Divin et Jatalaw (Cinéastes) (1999), Nyaminakaden (2002), Sory le Saint (2004) and ‘Nyè’ l'œil du Cyclone (2005). A venerated and respected filmmaker, Cissé is the founder and president of the Union of West African Film and Audiovisual Creators and Entrepreneurs. He is also heavily involved in the development of an economically viable African audiovisual industry.

Jury attendance

  • Member Cinéfondation & Short Films, 2006
  • Member Feature films, 1983

Feature films

CAMÉRA D’AFRIQUE

Cannes Classics, 2019

OKA

Special Screenings, 2015Director, Screenplay

MIN YE …

Special Screenings, 2009Director, Screenplay

WAATI

In Competition - Feature Films, 1995Director, Screenplay

YEELEN

In Competition - Feature Films, 1987Director, Screenplay

FINYE

Un Certain Regard, 1982Director, Screenplay

Awards

YEELEN

In Competition - Feature Films, 1987
1987 Jury Prize (Ex-Aequo)
Director, Screenplay