Ouagadougou, -The film “the taxi, the cinema and me” by Burkinabè director Salam Zampaligré won the Screen for best documentary at the 27th edition of the Festival on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Black Screens.
“It is a feeling of joy and pride to have brilliantly represented Burkina Faso at this great festival. This award is an invitation for me to redouble my efforts. I will continue in this direction because cinema is a powerful tool for communication and education,” said Burkinabè director Salam Zampaligré contacted by telephone by the AIB.
Salam Zampaligré spoke from Yaoundé in Cameroon where he took part with his film in the 27th edition of the Ecrans Noirs Festival which took place from October 14 to 21, 2023. He won the Ecran for best documentary.
The film “the taxi, the cinema and me” is the story of an iconoclastic character, Drissa Touré who had a very atypical journey in her life. After small jobs in Bobo-Dioulasso (economic capital of Burkina Faso), he became a taxi driver in Ouagadougou and finally a self-taught filmmaker thanks to his meeting with the filmmaker Sembene Ousmane.
As a filmmaker, he was able to establish himself as a recognized director in his country but also internationally. The film tells how and why this filmmaker who made successful films, from 1981 selected in the biggest festivals in the world such as Cannes, Locarno, Milan, Amiens, Rotterdam, Zurich, New York, then fell into the years 2000 without ever being able to get up.
“I will respect this prize by working much harder in future works,” promised Salam Zampaligré.
The film “The Taxi, the Cinema and Me” had its world premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in the Netherlands. It was then seen at the Luxor African Cinema Festival in Egypt where it won the Grand Prix for Documentary Film. The film then won the Jury Prize at the first edition of the “Rabat Doc Africa” International Film Festival in the Kingdom of Morocco.
“The taxi, the cinema and me” was screened at the Ouagadougou Pan-African Cinema and Television Festival (FESPACO) and at the Khouribga International African Cinema Festival in Morocco.
The 2023 Golden Screen was won by the film “My Father the Devil” by Cameroonian Ellie Foumbi.
The Burkinabè Alimata Salamberé, first president of the FESPACO organizing committee, in 1969 was distinguished with a screen of honor at the opening ceremony of the Ecrans Noirs Festival 2023.
Source: Burkina Information Agency