Dani Kouyaté
Encyclopedia
Dani Kouyaté is a film director and griot
from Burkina Faso
, which BBC
describes as "Africa's most important film-making country".
. He is the son of one of the first Burkinabé actors, Sotigui Kouyaté
, and is a member of the Mandeng ethnic group. Kouyatés have served as griots for the Keita clan since the 13th century. The Kouyatés guard customs, and their knowledge is authoritative amongst Mandengs. Keitas have to provide amenities to Kouyatés, who in turn should not hesitate to ask for Keita help. The word Kouyaté translates as "there is a secret between you and me".
The junior Kouyaté trained at the Institute Africain d'Education Cinématographique in Burkina Faso's capital of Ouagadougou
before travelling to France for five years of study at the Sorbonne
where he obtained a Master's degree in Cultural and Social Marketing. He also received a degree from the International School of Anthropology in Paris, and an advanced degree in Cinema from the University of Paris at St. Denis. From 1990 to 1996 Kouyaté toured the United States and Europe as part of "La Voix du Griot" ("Voice of the Griot"), a storytelling theater show founded by his father. Beginning his film career in 1989 with the short film Bilakoro, which was co-directed with Issa Traoré de Brahima, he directed a number of other short films before the release of his first full-length feature, Keïta! l'Héritage du griot
in 1995.
Sundjata Keita's 13th century epic, Sundjata, was Kouyaté's inspiration for the film, which depicts a middle class family in Ouagadougou. He shot it in Ouagadougou, Sindou
, and Ouahabou
. His father played the central role of Djeliba Kouyaté, who was imagined as an old dying man by Dani Kouyaté, though was portrayed as more forceful than that. Keïta! received the Best First Film Prize from the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
(Fespaco) and was awarded the Junior Prize at the Cannes Film Festival
. In a 1995 interview, he reflected on the experience and commenting on traditional society, saying:
In 1999 he created several episodes of the Burkinabé television series A Nous La Vie (roughly "Let's grab life"). The second feature film Kouyaté directed was Sia, le rêve du python
, released in 2001. It "operates simultaneously on three levels: as a visually compelling, exciting story set in a mythical past; as a political allegory, in which the events of the past are a continual commentary on Africa today; and as a rumination on the power and value of myth and legend." His father played the complex General Watigué, and the junior Kouyaté performed as a musician, strumming his guitar and playing several percussion instruments.
He also directed the award winning film Ouaga-Saga
(2004), which premiered at Fespaco in 2005. It tells the story of 11 Burkinabés struggling to overcome poverty to realise their dreams. Kouyaté had five weeks to film this, though it took longer to complete.
Griot
A griot or jeli is a West African storyteller. The griot delivers history as a poet, praise singer, and wandering musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition. As such, they are sometimes also called bards...
from Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
, which BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
describes as "Africa's most important film-making country".
Biography
Kouyaté was born in 1961 in Bobo-DioulassoBobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso is a city with a population of about 435,543 , the second largest city in Burkina Faso, Africa, after Ouagadougou, the nation's capital. The name means literally, "home of the Jula who speak Bobo," and is possibly a creation of the French who misunderstood the identity complexities...
. He is the son of one of the first Burkinabé actors, Sotigui Kouyaté
Sotigui Kouyaté
Sotigui Kouyaté was one of the first Burkinabé actors. He was the father of film director Dani Kouyatéand was a member of the Mandinka ethnic group....
, and is a member of the Mandeng ethnic group. Kouyatés have served as griots for the Keita clan since the 13th century. The Kouyatés guard customs, and their knowledge is authoritative amongst Mandengs. Keitas have to provide amenities to Kouyatés, who in turn should not hesitate to ask for Keita help. The word Kouyaté translates as "there is a secret between you and me".
The junior Kouyaté trained at the Institute Africain d'Education Cinématographique in Burkina Faso's capital of Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic center of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 1,475,223 . The city's name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais...
before travelling to France for five years of study at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
where he obtained a Master's degree in Cultural and Social Marketing. He also received a degree from the International School of Anthropology in Paris, and an advanced degree in Cinema from the University of Paris at St. Denis. From 1990 to 1996 Kouyaté toured the United States and Europe as part of "La Voix du Griot" ("Voice of the Griot"), a storytelling theater show founded by his father. Beginning his film career in 1989 with the short film Bilakoro, which was co-directed with Issa Traoré de Brahima, he directed a number of other short films before the release of his first full-length feature, Keïta! l'Héritage du griot
Keïta! l'Héritage du griot
Keïta! l'Héritage du griot is a 1995 Burkinabé drama film directed by Dani Kouyaté and starring Sotigui Kouyaté.-Cast:*Seydou Boro: Sundjata Keita*Hamed Dicko: Mabo Keïta*Abdoulaye Komboudri: Drissa Fafana...
in 1995.
Sundjata Keita's 13th century epic, Sundjata, was Kouyaté's inspiration for the film, which depicts a middle class family in Ouagadougou. He shot it in Ouagadougou, Sindou
Sindou
Sindou is a town located in the province of Léraba in Burkina Faso. It is the capital of Léraba Province and the Sindou Department.Sindou is a simple but lively town, with roadside kiosks, and stalls that serve rice...
, and Ouahabou
Ouahabou
Ouahabou is a town in the Boromo Department of Balé Province in south-western Burkina Faso. The town has a population of 5601.-External links:*...
. His father played the central role of Djeliba Kouyaté, who was imagined as an old dying man by Dani Kouyaté, though was portrayed as more forceful than that. Keïta! received the Best First Film Prize from the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou is the largest African film festival, held biennially in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The festival is the biggest regular cultural event on the African continent and it mostly focuses on the African film and African filmmakers...
(Fespaco) and was awarded the Junior Prize at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. In a 1995 interview, he reflected on the experience and commenting on traditional society, saying:
In 1999 he created several episodes of the Burkinabé television series A Nous La Vie (roughly "Let's grab life"). The second feature film Kouyaté directed was Sia, le rêve du python
Sia, le rêve du python
Sia, le rêve du python is a 2001 film by Burkina Faso-based filmmaker Dani Kouyaté.-Plot:...
, released in 2001. It "operates simultaneously on three levels: as a visually compelling, exciting story set in a mythical past; as a political allegory, in which the events of the past are a continual commentary on Africa today; and as a rumination on the power and value of myth and legend." His father played the complex General Watigué, and the junior Kouyaté performed as a musician, strumming his guitar and playing several percussion instruments.
He also directed the award winning film Ouaga-Saga
Ouaga-Saga
Ouaga-Saga is a 2004 comedy film by Burkina Faso-based filmmaker Dani Kouyaté. This film was one of the two to three a year that the Burkina Faso government produces. Its plot revolves around ten children striving to reach their goal in life.-Cast:...
(2004), which premiered at Fespaco in 2005. It tells the story of 11 Burkinabés struggling to overcome poverty to realise their dreams. Kouyaté had five weeks to film this, though it took longer to complete.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Ki-Zerbo Joseph Ki-Zerbo Joseph Ki-Zerbo was a Burkinabé politician and writer. He spent his youth in Toma where he grew up in a rural context inside a big family. Ki-Zerbo himself declared that his first 11 years passed in a rural context marked his personality and thoughts. He was recognized as one of Africa’s foremost... |
2005 | Documentary |
| Ouaga-Saga Ouaga-Saga Ouaga-Saga is a 2004 comedy film by Burkina Faso-based filmmaker Dani Kouyaté. This film was one of the two to three a year that the Burkina Faso government produces. Its plot revolves around ten children striving to reach their goal in life.-Cast:... |
2004 | |
| Sia, le rêve du python Sia, le rêve du python Sia, le rêve du python is a 2001 film by Burkina Faso-based filmmaker Dani Kouyaté.-Plot:... |
2001 | Also writer |
| À nous la vie | 1999 | Television series |
| Keita! L'héritage du griot Keïta! l'Héritage du griot Keïta! l'Héritage du griot is a 1995 Burkinabé drama film directed by Dani Kouyaté and starring Sotigui Kouyaté.-Cast:*Seydou Boro: Sundjata Keita*Hamed Dicko: Mabo Keïta*Abdoulaye Komboudri: Drissa Fafana... |
1995 | Also writer |
| Les Larmes Sacrées du Crocodile | 1992 | Short film |
| Tobbere Kossam | 1991 | Short film, codirected by Philippe Baqué |
| Bilakoro | 1989 | Short film, codirected by Issa Traoré de Brahima |