Stolen from his home in Niaréla on April 27, the “Golden carriage» was brought back to Malian director Souleymane Cissé by the thief. He told the press last Friday (May 3, 2024) that he discovered a bag at home containing the trophy which the thief unfortunately damaged while probably wanting to recover the gold (24 carats according to our information). “Under pressure, the person came to file inside the house. I simply say a big thank you to all of you» confided the legendary director to the press.
The filmmaker went to the Minister of Crafts, Culture, Hospitality Industry and Tourism to tell him the good news. He thanked the government of Mali, the authorities and the populations for their support and their mark of solidarity before expressing his joy and satisfaction, although “the coach is heavily damaged», announced a press release published by this department last Friday, May 3, 2024.
Minister Andogoly Guindo was delighted with the good news and considered that it constituted a Source of relief for the world of the 7th art and for all Malians, given the collective indignation that the disappearance of the prestigious trophy had aroused. . An investigation was opened by the police following this theft.
It must be remembered that the grand prize “Golden carriage» was awarded to Souleymane Cissé during the opening of the Cannes Film Festival (France) on May 17, 2023 in France. He is the second African filmmaker to have received it after the Senegalese Sembene Ousmane. The Golden Coach is a special award awarded since 2002 during the “Directors’ Fortnight», a parallel selection of the Cannes festival. It is a tribute paid by the directors of the Society of Film Directors to one of their peers, chosen from among filmmakers from around the world. This prestigious prize recognizes an entire career for originality, courage and rigor in directing and production.
Moussa Bolly
