Pascal Abikanlou (1936? – 2009) was a Beninese film maker, director and producer.[1] He is considered the "father of Beninese cinema".

Pascal Abikanlou
Born1936
Died2009
NationalityBeninese
Occupation(s)film maker, director and producer
Notable workSous le signe du vaudou

Biography

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Pascal Abikanlou was born in Pobe, a locality close to the border with Nigeria. Abikanlou is of Nago-Yoruba origin and comes from a royal lineage of Pobe. His father was sentenced to four years in prison by the French colonial authorities for defending a possible attachment of Pobe to Nigeria. He was educated at Maurice Delafosse High School in Dakar and was an industrial designer by training. He trained as a photographer by correspondence, then became a reporter and assistant cameraman and finally a director.

Career

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He directed the first feature movie Under the sign of Vaudoun in 1974.[1][2][3]

Filmography

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  • Under the sign of voodoo 1974
  • Ganvié, my village 1967
  • Stopover at Dahomey 1968
  • First offerings 1969
  • The Yam Festival 1969
  • Operation Sonader 1971
  • Water and shade 1971
  • Africa at the rendezvous of the holy year 1975
  • Sous le signe du vaudou 1976
  • The Wind of Hope 1992
  • Ouidah 92 1993
  • Danhome Kingdom of Huegbadjavi 1989

References

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  1. ^ a b "Africiné". www.africine.org. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  2. ^ Pascal ABIKANLOU, précurseur du cinéma Béninois, retrieved 2019-10-19
  3. ^ "Pascal Abikanlou". IMDb. Retrieved 2019-10-19.