Cheick Oumar Sissoko
Encyclopedia
Cheick Oumar Sissoko is a Malian film director
and politician
.
, Cheick Oumar Sissoko obtained a DEA in African History and Sociology and a diploma in History and Cinema from the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales
. He then continued his studies in cinema at the Ecole nationale Louis Lumière.
On his return to Mali, he took up directing at the Centre National de la Production C inématographique (CNPC), where he directed Sécheresse et Exode rural ("Drought and Rural Exodus").
In 1995, he directed Guimba
(The Tyrant), which won special jury prizes at the International Film Festival of Locarno, and l'Etalon de Yennenga ("Stallion of Yennenga") at FESPACO
(the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
).
In 1999, La Genèse
(Genesis) was released, which won Sissoko another Etalon de Yennenga at FESPACO. In 2000, he directed Battù, based on a novel by Aminata Sow Fall
which won him the RFI Prize for Cinema at Fespaco in 2001.
He has created a production company called Kora Film.
Sissoko and Oumar Mariko
founded a political party, African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence
(SADI), in 1996. Sissoko is the party's president. He was nominated as the Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed Ag Hamani
on 16 October 2002 and remained Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister Issoufi Ousmane Maïga, which was named on May 2, 2004. On August 8, 2007, following the death of Minister of National Education Mamadou Lamine Traoré
in July, Sissoko was named Minister of National Education, while remaining Minister of Culture. He was not included in the government named on October 3, 2007.
Another film that Sissoko created was called "The Garbage Boys". This film tells a bittersweet story about children growing up in Bamako, Mali; it showed them fighting obstacles on a daily basis. The children portrayed in the film were shown having to carry their own desks to school, picking up garbage to make money, play in the streets, learn vices, as well as watch their mothers die in childbirth. The film seemed to have different effects on different populations. Author Manthia Diwara notes in their book that when observing different populations reaction to the film, the wealthier populations that saw the film felt badly for the characters and cried while the poorer populations of Mali laughed because they felt that it was true and that everyone should have to experience it
The themes of the film, "The Garbage Boys" is in accordance with Sissoko's personal views in terms of promoting diversity and understanding. In an interview at the Festival au Desert as the Minister of Culture he states:
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Biography
As a student in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Cheick Oumar Sissoko obtained a DEA in African History and Sociology and a diploma in History and Cinema from the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales
École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales
The École des hautes études en sciences sociales is a leading French institution for research and higher education, a Grand Établissement. Its mission is research and research training in the social sciences, including the relationship these latter maintain with the natural and life sciences...
. He then continued his studies in cinema at the Ecole nationale Louis Lumière.
On his return to Mali, he took up directing at the Centre National de la Production C inématographique (CNPC), where he directed Sécheresse et Exode rural ("Drought and Rural Exodus").
In 1995, he directed Guimba
Guimba the Tyrant
Guimba the Tyrant is a 1995 Malian comedy drama film in the Bambara language , directed by noted Malian director Cheick Oumar Sissoko. The movie shows the rise and fall of a cruel and despotic village chief Guimba, and his son Jangine in a fictional village in the Sahel of Mali...
(The Tyrant), which won special jury prizes at the International Film Festival of Locarno, and l'Etalon de Yennenga ("Stallion of Yennenga") at FESPACO
Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou is the largest African film festival, held biennially in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The festival is the biggest regular cultural event on the African continent and it mostly focuses on the African film and African filmmakers...
(the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic center of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 1,475,223 . The city's name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais...
).
In 1999, La Genèse
Genesis (1999 film)
Genesis is a 1999 French-Malian drama film directed by Cheick Oumar Sissoko. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Sotigui Kouyaté - Jacob* Salif Keita - Esau* Balla Moussa Keita - Hamor...
(Genesis) was released, which won Sissoko another Etalon de Yennenga at FESPACO. In 2000, he directed Battù, based on a novel by Aminata Sow Fall
Aminata Sow Fall
Aminata Sow Fall is a Senegalese-born author. While her native language is Wolof, her books are written in French.-Life:She was born 1941 in Saint-Louis, Senegal where she grew up before moving to Dakar to finish her secondary schooling...
which won him the RFI Prize for Cinema at Fespaco in 2001.
He has created a production company called Kora Film.
Sissoko and Oumar Mariko
Oumar Mariko
Oumar Mariko is a Malian doctor, politician and noted former student activist. He is the secretary general of African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence and has twice run for President of Mali, in 2002 and 2007....
founded a political party, African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence
African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence
The African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence is a left-wing political party in Mali. It was founded by Cheick Oumar Sissoko and Oumar Mariko in 1996; Sissoko is the party's President and Mariko is its Secretary-General, the top post in the party...
(SADI), in 1996. Sissoko is the party's president. He was nominated as the Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister Ahmed Mohamed Ag Hamani
Ahmed Mohamed ag Hamani
Ahmed Mohamed ag Hamani, born , was the Prime Minister of Mali from 2002 until 2004.Hamani was born in Goundam. He became a technical advisor to the Minister of the Plan in 1975 before entering the government on January 7, 1978 as Minister for the Supervision of Companies and State Enterprises...
on 16 October 2002 and remained Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister Issoufi Ousmane Maïga, which was named on May 2, 2004. On August 8, 2007, following the death of Minister of National Education Mamadou Lamine Traoré
Mamadou Lamine Traoré
Mamadou Lamine Traoré was a Malian politician and President of the Movement for the Independence, Renaissance, and Integration of Africa political party....
in July, Sissoko was named Minister of National Education, while remaining Minister of Culture. He was not included in the government named on October 3, 2007.
Another film that Sissoko created was called "The Garbage Boys". This film tells a bittersweet story about children growing up in Bamako, Mali; it showed them fighting obstacles on a daily basis. The children portrayed in the film were shown having to carry their own desks to school, picking up garbage to make money, play in the streets, learn vices, as well as watch their mothers die in childbirth. The film seemed to have different effects on different populations. Author Manthia Diwara notes in their book that when observing different populations reaction to the film, the wealthier populations that saw the film felt badly for the characters and cried while the poorer populations of Mali laughed because they felt that it was true and that everyone should have to experience it
The themes of the film, "The Garbage Boys" is in accordance with Sissoko's personal views in terms of promoting diversity and understanding. In an interview at the Festival au Desert as the Minister of Culture he states:
I believe my most important task is safeguarding the cohesion between the various ethnic groups in Mali. One of the available instruments is subsidising festivals like this one... The differences date from many centuries ago. We must welcome those differences and show respect for one another. We do that rather well because the people of Mali are extremely hospitable and socially oriented. The festivals have an important meeting function, and work very well.
Filmography
- L'Ecole malienne (1982)
- Les Audiothèques rurales (1983)
- Sécheresse et exode rural (1984)
- Nyamanton, la leçon des ordures (1986)
- Finzan (1990)
- Etre jeune à Bamako (1992)
- L'Afrique bouge (1992)
- Problématique de la malnutrition (1993)
- Guimba, un tyrant, une époque (English: Guimba the TyrantGuimba the TyrantGuimba the Tyrant is a 1995 Malian comedy drama film in the Bambara language , directed by noted Malian director Cheick Oumar Sissoko. The movie shows the rise and fall of a cruel and despotic village chief Guimba, and his son Jangine in a fictional village in the Sahel of Mali...
) (1995) - La GenèseGenesis (1999 film)Genesis is a 1999 French-Malian drama film directed by Cheick Oumar Sissoko. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Sotigui Kouyaté - Jacob* Salif Keita - Esau* Balla Moussa Keita - Hamor...
(1999) - Battù (2000)