Al'lèèssi ... Une Actrice africaine

English title: Al'leessi… An African Actress

Director: Rahmatou Keita    → show biography   ← hide biography

Biography: Rahmatou Keïta was born in Niamey (Niger). She studied Philosophy and Linguistics at the INALCO (Institut National des Langues et Civilisation Orientales) in Paris. Since 1988 she has worked as a journalist, writer and filmmaker.

Country: Niger

Year: 2003

Synopsis: Zalika Souley is the first truly professional actress in Africa. Today she is in her fifties and lives in suburban Niamey, the capital of Niger. She looks after four children in her two-room apartment, which has neither electricity nor running water. Thirty years ago, she was a film star. But today, who remembers her? And what do people remember? She acted in many films and worked with the major film directors from Niger, Oumarou Ganda and Moustapha Alassane, and also with film directors from other countries such as Adamu Haliilu from Nigeria. In the course of her daily chores, Zalika tells us about her glorious past in the film business, and her relationships with film directors and actors. She also tells us about the actual condition of African cinema and about her activities as a stage actress. On the occasion of the presentation of this film, we are showing the on-screen debut of actress Zalika Souley in 1966: Le Retour d'un aventurier.

Language: Songhai, French, Zarma, Hausa

Forum participation year: 2004

Forum catalogue PDF: Download