Ousmane Sembene

1 January 1923 - 9 June 2007

Director

Known as the father of African cinema, Senegal-born Sembene tackled a range of frequently controversial, social issue dramas in his 41 year directorial career. Xala (1974) is probably his best known, with others including Black Girl (1965), Mandabi (1968), Ceddo (1977), Guelwaar (1992), Fast Kiné (2000) and Mooladé (2004).