Yeleen

Yeelen

classified PG S

part of Restored & Rediscovered

Film

Please note: This was screened in July 2025

Director
Souleymane Cissé
Cast
Issiaka Kane, Aoua Sangare, Niamanto Sanogo
Details
105 mins, Subtitled, 1987, France, Mali, Burkina Faso
Primary language
French, Bambara

The late Malian director Souleymane Cissé (1940 – 2025) once described the power of the imagination as “planetary, cosmic”. His arresting and mythical African drama Yeelen (translated as ‘Brightness’ or ‘Light’) is testament to that.

Soma Diarra (Niamanto Sanogo) is a member of a feared Bambara secret society. His closest rival is his son Nianankoro (Issiaka Kane) whom Diarra plots to kill. Transcending our notion of time, what unfolds is a gripping parable that strikes an atavistic and primal chord with regards to the cycles of power, life and death. Film Comment called Yeelen “not only the most beautifully photographed African film ever, but also the best African film ever made”. It’s certainly hard to disagree when viewing Diarra’s stylised vision of deep-seated jealousy.

The movie, winner of a Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987 and a nominee for the Golden Palm, is screening as part of our Reframing Film strand and is aching to be rediscovered by a new audience.

Restored in 2K by Les Films Cissé, the production company of Souleymane Cissé with thanks to Trigon Film.

Presented by co-curator Diwas Dewan, as part of Other Ways of Seeing, with support from BFI Awarding Funds from National Lottery.


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