Ousmane Sembène

b. 1st January 1923, Casamance, South Senegal
d. Aged 84, 10 June 2007, Dakar

June saw the passing of a true giant of world cinema. Dubbed the “Father of African film”, the revered filmmaker and author, Ousmane Sembène died this month. Through his numerous films and novels, Elder Sembene strove to be an outspoken cultural commentator highlighting the repressive effect of colonisation and slavery on the culture and minds of African people. He sought to challenge the oppression of women in his films such as Moolaade (2004), Faat Kine (2000) and Heroisme au Quotidien (Daily Heroism, 1999). He highlighted the abandonment conflict caused by religion in Guelwaar (1992) and the marginalisation of traditional African culture by Islam and Christianity in Ceddo (1977). In his book Xala (1973) which he later made into film (1974), he mocks the African bourgeoisie for their western social values and their rejection of their indigenous languages in favour of French. The film is also noted for its contrast between urban living and the rural lifestyle of the poor as well as the use of traditional African medicine.