Soussaba Cissé on Documenting Mali’s Cultural Memory

In an exclusive with The Nollywood Reporter, the Malian filmmaker explains how her documentaries safeguard Mali’s identity and connect generations through film.

October 22, 2025
10:52 am
Poster of Soussaba Cissé’s documentary highlighting Mali’s cultural resilience.
Poster of Soussaba Cissé’s documentary exploring Mali’s cultural resilience and identity.

Malian filmmaker Soussaba Cissé, daughter of celebrated director Souleymane Cissé, is advancing her family’s cinematic legacy through documentaries that explore memory, culture, and community.

 

In an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Cissé said her motivation as a filmmaker lies in the need to preserve the soul of Mali’s people through film. “Every frame is a memory, not just mine but ours,” she said, reflecting on how film can serve as a living archive for her country’s history.

 

Her documentaries often center on ordinary Malians whose stories reflect broader social realities. By focusing on artisans, women, and young creatives, Cissé captures a portrait of a nation in transition while ensuring that traditional knowledge and cultural practices remain visible.

 

Malian filmmaker Soussaba Cissé
Soussaba Cissé, Malian filmmaker and daughter of Souleymane Cissé

While her father’s works helped define African cinema on the global stage, Cissé is shaping her own path through nonfiction storytelling. Her approach combines visual intimacy with cultural awareness, emphasizing authenticity over spectacle.

 

Cissé believes that documentary filmmaking can be a form of preservation. “I want to make films that feel like home, that speak in our language, and that remind us who we are,” she told The Nollywood Reporter.

 

Her recent projects have screened at various African film festivals, further establishing her as one of the emerging voices redefining Mali’s creative identity. Through her work, she continues to reinforce the power of film to connect generations and keep cultural memory alive.

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