Abderrahmane Sissako

Abderrahmane Sissako is a Mauritanian-born Malian film director and producer. His film Waiting for Happiness was screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival official selection under Un Certain Regard, winning a FIPRESCI Prize. His 2006 film Bamako received much attention. Sissako's themes include globalisation, exile and the displacement of people. His 2014 film Timbuktu was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Early life and education

Sissako was born in Kiffa, Mauritania, in 1961. His father is a Malian from Sokolo. He spent his childhood in Mali, then returned to Mauritania at age 18 to live with his mother. He left for Moscow in 1983 with a scholarship to study cinema at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, where he made his graduation film, The Game, in 1988.

Career

Besides his work as a director, he also worked as a cultural Advisor for former head of state Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
In December 2023, alongside 50 other filmmakers, Sissako signed an open letter published in Libération demanding a ceasefire and an end to the killing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, and for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to be established for humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.

Personal life

After twelve years in Moscow, Sissako moved to Paris in 1994.
Sissako is married to the Ethiopian film director Maji-da Abdi.
Sissako's mother died on the last day of filming of his 2002 film Waiting for Happiness; the film is dedicated to her.