Filmmaker, Author. Born in Ziguinchor, Senegal, he is considered the "Father of African film." After fighting in the Second World War, Sembene settled in Paris, where he began his literary career. He published several works about racism and the hard conditions of immigrant workers. His most famous novel was "Les Bouts de Bois de Dieu" ("God's Bits of Wood"). In 1960 Sembene returned to Senegal and became a pioneering filmmaker. His credits include "La Noire de..." (1966), which earned him the Jean Vigo Award, "Mandabi" (1968), "Xala" (1975), and "Guelwaar" (1992). His last film, "Moolaadé" (2004), won awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the FESPACO Film Festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Filmmaker, Author. Born in Ziguinchor, Senegal, he is considered the "Father of African film." After fighting in the Second World War, Sembene settled in Paris, where he began his literary career. He published several works about racism and the hard conditions of immigrant workers. His most famous novel was "Les Bouts de Bois de Dieu" ("God's Bits of Wood"). In 1960 Sembene returned to Senegal and became a pioneering filmmaker. His credits include "La Noire de..." (1966), which earned him the Jean Vigo Award, "Mandabi" (1968), "Xala" (1975), and "Guelwaar" (1992). His last film, "Moolaadé" (2004), won awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the FESPACO Film Festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni
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