VCU School of World Studies

Home> Media Center
.......................................................................................................................................................................
World Studies Media Center - Media Collection
........................................................................................................................................................................

WSMC Home » Media Collections » Film Detail

Yeelen
	Language	French	Souleymane Cissé is one of Africa’s leading directors. He was born in 1940 in Bamako, the capital of Mali, where he now lives. After studying filmmaking in Moscow in the 1960’s, he returned to Bamako where he began directing short and eventually feature films. Overcoming the difficulties of finance and distribution that plague African Cinema, Cissé’s work has been widely seen and acclaimed in Europe and the United States. Souleymane Cissé’s cinematic vision encompasses both the historical and traditional culture of Africa (specifically the Bambara legends of Mali) and the political and social tensions of modern society. White widely regarded as one of the pioneers of African Cinema, Cissé’s work has been largely unavailable on video in the United States. This adaptation of an ancient oral legend from Mali is on the most acclaimed and widely seen African films ever made. An Oedipal story mixed with magic, Yeelen is as visually stunning as anything from Hollywood. Set in the powerful Mali Empire of the 13th century, Yeelen tells the journey of Niankoro, a young warrior who must confront an evil sorcerer who is also his father. Niankoro uses his own magical powers to battle his father. The film follows him on his quest across arid Bambara, Fulani and Dogan lands and explores a cross-section of West African cultures and folklore. Cissé’s extraordinary use of landscapes and light produces a unique and striking cinematic style.
	Call Number	FF0109
	Audio Languages	Bambara
	Subtitles	English
	Director	Souleymane Cissé
	Year	1987
	Duration	105 minutes
	Format	NTSC
	Media	DVD
	Copies	1