Sembène, Ousmane

AbstractOusmane Sembène (1923–2007), was a filmmaker, novelist, and short‐story writer. Hailed as the father of African cinema, his many films, documentaries, and novels have earned him continental and global fame. His works occupy a crucial place in the teaching of African cinema, literature, and culture, both inside and outside the continent. The scholarly and popular attention to Sembène's productions reflects his artistry and his investment in social change. Critique of the ills of colonialism, marginalization of the materially dispossessed, post‐independence kleptocracy, and problematic cultural practices constitutes the backbone of his esthetic (literary and cinematic) productions. Although already a successful novelist, Sembène turned to filmmaking, shooting in African languages, in an attempt to reach the widest possible African audience. Despite his goal of seeking to transform consciousness with films such asMoolaadeandXala, Sembène avoided comforting, simplistic positions, leaving viewers free to make their own decisions.