France, Mali and UK / 2007 / 69mins / Documentary / Bambara and French

A documentary about internationally renowned Malian photographer Malick Sidibé, whose iconic images of his country from the late 1950s through to the 70s captured the carefree spirit of his generation asserting their freedom after independence up until an Islamic coup ushered in years of military dictatorship. The filmmaker travels to Malick Sidibé's studio in Bamako to witness him at work and meet many of the subjects of his earlier photographs, whose personal stories also tell the history of Mali. Embellished with a fantastic soundtrack that features the best in Malian music.

Cosima Spender

Director, producer, photographer and writer, Cosima Spender was born in Italy in an artists’ family, and moved to England at fourteen. A university degree in Anthropology and Art History at the School of Oriental and African Studies cultivated her interest in local identity and ethnic traditions, whether in Africa, Asia or Europe. Still photography and traveling sparked off a passion that led to the post-graduate documentary directing course at the National Film and Television School in England. Since leaving film school she has travelled around the world as a director, often filming her own projects. She has directed films including The Importance of Being Elegant (2004) with George Amponsah, Dolce Vita Africana (2008), Without Gorky (2011 director and writer) and Palio (2015 writer and director). Palio won the best documentary editing award at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. She is based in London. Learn More