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Ousmane Sembene (1923-2007), often referred to as the Father of African Cinema, was a Senegalese filmmaker and writer regarded as a trailblazer in the African literary and filmmaking space. Sembene was born in Ziguinchor, Senegal and largely drew inspiration from Serer religious festivals and his experiences in the French Army during the Second World War. Self-taught to read and write in French, his writing career began with novels including Le Docker Noir (The Black Docker,1956) and O Pays, mon beu pepule! (Oh country, my beautiful people! 1957). These novels addressed the themes of racial oppression and colonialism.
He transitioned into filmmaking in the 1960s and produced classic films including La Noir de (1966) and Xala (1975) which addressed societal inequalities and post-colonial corruption. Black Girl is widely considered the first Sub-Saharan African film by an African filmmaker to receive international attention. His final film, Moolaade (2004), explored the controversial subject of female genital mutilation.
His legacy encompasses a rich body of literary works and influential films making him a seminal figure in African cultural expression. In 2016, the film was ranked among the 100 greatest films since 2000 in an international critics poll by 177 critics around the world.