There are masters, veterans, and pioneers who have sacrificed their time and resources to create groundbreaking films that have put the continent on the map of world cinema and inspired filmmakers internationally for many decades… And so, I see it as a huge disservice to oneself not to know and study these masters. It is just like not knowing the history of where one comes from — how does one hope to arrive at a safe destination?
AT a recent award ceremony, I found myself seated with two young Nollywood directors whose films had received multiple nominations. As our conversation flowed, I asked, “Who are your favourite African filmmakers?” The question seemed to catch them off-guard. From their silence and expressions, it was clear they had never been asked this before — or perhaps never even considered it.
Fast forward a few months later, at the recently concluded S16 Film Festival 2024. I struck up a conversation with a stylish young man, probably in his mid-twenties, seated close to me. I complimented his look, sparking a conversation about films.
I asked him who his favourite African filmmakers were, and without hesitation, he started naming legends like Ousmane Sembène, Djibril Diop Mambéty, Haile Gerima, Abbas Kiarostami, and Souleymane Cissé. Impressed, I interrupted him and asked if he had ever made a film. He replied that he had made just one short film. Instantly, I had a feeling about the depth and style of his work.
I then told him I had met Souleymane Cissé before. For the first time, I noticed how he subtly gave me a second glance, as if doubting what I had just said. Sensing his skepticism, I took out my phone and showed him a picture of me with the great master — one of the last standing fathers of the first generation of African cinema, Souleymane Cissé.
I first heard about Souleymane Cissé when I was being mentored under the tutelage of Nigerian film director Joseph Ubaka, who introduced me to the masters of Francophone cinema. My good friend and film director Paul Gaius also insisted I see Yeelen, which, for me, remains one of the most stunning and powerful films to ever come out of this continent.
In 2023, I was a guest at the prestigious Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt, where my short film was an official selection. On Day 2 , I missed the first outing into town with fellow filmmakers because I got out of the auditorium late, and the bus had already left. Standing by the entrance of the building, feeling disappointed, I noticed an official festival bus pulling up nearby. An agile-looking old man, along with some festival officials, alighted. I noticed the old man was the star of the moment, as more people gathered to greet him. Even though they spoke in French, I could hear words like “Cissé, Cissé” in their conversations. Out of curiosity, I asked, and it was confirmed that the old man was Souleymane Cissé. Until that moment, I had only heard about this great man but had never been able to put a face to his name.
The disappointment of missing the bus vanished instantly. I swung my camera out and started taking pictures of him. That gesture caught his attention as he walked into the corridor. He was about 81 years old at the time, yet apart from his all-white beard, he looked fit and moved with the energy of a much younger man. I even saw him helping to move a table out of the way. His gallantry stood out to me, but even more striking was the humility and humanity he displayed in those few minutes.
I patiently waited until the coast was clear, then walked up to him and asked if I could take a portrait of him. He happily obliged. I asked him to pose in front of the painting of Queen Tafertari so that his clothes would blend into the palette, making him look like a part of the painting. Afterward, I showed him the picture, and we talked and exchanged contacts.
At Luxor, Souleymane Cissé was accompanied by his daughter, who is also a filmmaker. They were special guests at the festival, where a documentary she had made about his career was screened. During that powerful and inspiring session, I had the privilege of hearing firsthand from Souleymane Cissé about his experiences, inspirations, and the struggles — both good and bad — he has faced in his lifetime of making films.
With this consciousness, I reflect on how African cinema has undergone a great revolution to reach the stage it is at today — where we can make films without the immense struggles and stresses of the past. There are masters, veterans, and pioneers who have sacrificed their time and resources to create groundbreaking films that have put the continent on the map of world cinema and inspired filmmakers internationally for many decades.
And so, I see it as a huge disservice to oneself not to know and study these masters. It is just like not knowing the history of where one comes from—how does one hope to arrive at a safe destination?
And so, I ask the question: As a filmmaker, how well do you know the masters of African cinema?
- Idhebor is a photographer and filmmaker
Comments are closed.