SOTIGUI KOUYATE: A MODERN GRIOT

SOTIGUI KOUYATE: A MODERN GRIOT 
(SOTIGUI KOUYATE UN GRIOT MODERNE), 1997
France | 35mm, Color, 58’ | French
Director: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun Chad
Cast: Sotigui Kouyaté, Peter Brook, Jean-Claude Carrière, Jean-Pierre Guingané

On his 60th birthday Sotigui Kouyaté returns to his native Bamako for the first time after 30 years. He recounts his childhood memories before the camera, talks about Africa, mentions his role as a bard passed on from father to son. Even though he lives and works in Paris Kouyaté is very much attached to his roots. He is both an urbanite and a clansperson and has interwoven these two personalities. In the documentary, as we try to learn more about one of the most prominent actors Africa has produced through various characters from the world of theater and film, we also discover him as a bard, a songwriter, and his healing power.