Weeks after his passing, those closest to the Malian filmmaker reflect on his final days, his impact on African storytelling, and how he spent his last moments celebrating art in The Gambia.
Souleymane Cissé: His Final Days and Lasting Legacy in African Cinema
BY Fareedat Taofeeq
March 13, 2025
4:32 pm
For decades, Souleymane Cissé shaped African cinema with his powerful narratives, unwavering authenticity, and deep commitment to preserving the continent’s stories.
From films like “Yeelen” to “Baara”, his films broke barriers, redefined African storytelling, and inspired generations of filmmakers. But beyond his work, Cissé was a man who lived for art, for people, and for the stories that connected them all.
In the weeks leading up to his death on February 19, 2025, Cissé was doing what he loved most—celebrating African culture.
A Grand Celebration in The Gambia
In what would be his final major public appearance, Cissé attended the Sunu Reew Medical Mission’s Arts and Culture Night in The Gambia on February 15, 2025. The event, co-curated by Sunu Reew Medical Mission and the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF), honored Cissé with an award from the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia. It was a moment of deep recognition for a man whose contributions to African cinema spanned over half a century.
Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu, founding director and president of the Sunu Reew Medical Mission, who personally brought Cissé and his daughter to The Gambia for the event, recalled his overwhelming reaction to receiving the award. “Papa Souleymane cried when we gave him his award,” she said. “He gave a passionate speech, reminding us that storytelling belongs everywhere—whether in a courtroom, a clinic, or a film. He urged us to keep telling our stories, no matter how difficult or challenging they may be.”
For Cissé, storytelling was a means of empowerment, a way to reclaim African narratives from colonial misrepresentation. He had long voiced his frustration over younger African filmmakers looking to Hollywood for validation rather than embracing the legacies of African pioneers like himself and Ousmane Sembène.
An Unexpected Bond
Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu met Souleymane Cissé in October 2024, when she helped facilitate his trip to California for the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF). It wasn’t a grand introduction—just a simple meeting at a hotel in San Jose, but it left a lasting impression.
“He came up to me and said, ‘What’s your name?’” Victoria recalled. “I told him, ‘Victoria.’ And he just looked at me and said, ‘You’re beautiful.’”
That was the beginning of a friendship neither of them had expected. Victoria had many roles during the festival, one of which included driving the honorees around. Cissé, however, made it clear—he only wanted her behind the wheel.
“Papa would always call me, ‘Victoria, come drive me,’” she said. “That’s how we got close.”
Their connection was built on mutual respect. She admired his commitment to African storytelling, while he saw in her someone who truly valued the preservation of African cinema.
A First Visit to The Gambia and His Final Adventures
Months later, Victoria was instrumental in bringing Cissé to The Gambia for the Sunu Reew Medical Mission’s Arts and Culture Night on February 15, 2025. Co-curated by the Sunu Reew Medical Mission and SVAFF, the event recognized his decades of contributions to cinema.
“He was so moved by the experience,” Victoria said. “He kept saying, ‘I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.’ He was already making plans to return.”
Cissé was honored with an award from the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia, an emotional moment for him. “Papa Souleymane cried when we gave him his award,” Victoria recalled. “He reminded us that storytelling isn’t just about film—it belongs everywhere. In courts, in clinics, in our everyday lives.”
Even as he celebrated, Cissé remained deeply aware of the challenges facing African cinema. He had long been vocal about his frustration with younger African filmmakers seeking validation from Hollywood rather than embracing the legacies of pioneers like himself and Ousmane Sembène. At the event, he once again encouraged artists to tell their own stories, on their own terms.
During his stay, Cissé took part in various events tied to the Sunu Reew Medical Mission, including the health fair at Sona Jobarteh’s academy, where he actively engaged with attendees. He was also the highlight of a Valentine’s Day cruise, fully immersing himself in the joy of the moment. “You couldn’t tell Papa nothing,” Victoria laughed. “He was the life of the party, and everywhere he went, he left a lasting impression.”
Looking Forward to FESPACO
Even in his final days, Cissé was thinking ahead. He was eagerly anticipating FESPACO, Africa’s biggest film festival, where he had played a crucial role in shaping its legacy. “He was looking forward to going to FESPACO,” Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu said. “But he never made it.”
His vision extended beyond his own films. He was focused on mentoring younger generations, guiding them in refining their craft and ensuring that African cinema continued to flourish. He had recently been advocating for his daughter, Fatou Cissé, who had just released a film of her own. “He wanted all of us to go support her film. He was so proud of her,” Victoria shared.
A Personal Farewell
For Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu, her last memories of Cissé are filled with warmth and gratitude. “Papa gave me a handmade Malian dress before he left,” she said. “He told me, ‘Since you’re not going to visit me in Mali, I brought Mali to you.’ Then he held my hand, kissed it, and said, ‘You know I love you, right?’ Those words meant everything to me.”
Even in his final moments, Cissé remained true to the values he had championed throughout his life—selflessness, humility, and an unwavering dedication to storytelling.
The End of an Era, The Beginning of a Legacy
News of Cissé’s passing shook the African film industry. Many who had interacted with him during the Sunu Reew Medical Mission event were left in disbelief. Victoria, who had spoken with him the night before he was hospitalized, recalled her shock upon hearing the news. “His daughter called me and said, ‘Victoria, Papa is gone.’ I couldn’t believe it. Just the night before, we were laughing and talking.”
Cissé was buried on February 19, 2025, in accordance with Islamic rites. His passing marks the end of an era, but his impact on African cinema will remain indelible. As Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu and the Sunu Reew Medical Mission team prepare to pay homage to him at next year’s event, one thing remains clear: Souleymane Cissé’s legacy will continue to inspire and shape the future of African storytelling.