Cameras roll on Soleils

by Fabien Lemercier

12/06/2012 - After long being limited to only very brief breakthroughs, Franco-African cinema (beyond the countries of the Maghreb who regularly produce with France) seems to be regaining shape fast. After Senegal in Today [trailer] by Alain Gomis (in the competition at the last Berlinale) and The Piroque [trailer] by Moussé Touré (recently discovered at the Certain Regard in Cannes) and before Chad as seen by Mahamat Saleh-Haroun (Jury Prize in Cannes in 2010 for A Screaming Man [trailer]) who this autumn will starts shooting Grisgris, it's now Burkina-Faso's turn with Soleils (lit. "Suns"), a film that is currently being shot directed by Olivier Delahaye (photo) and Dany Kouyate (L'héritage du griot, Sia, the dream of the Python). The cast includes Binda Ngazolo and Nina Melo.

Written by Olivier Delahaye, the screenplay tells the story of an old wise man who educates girls by recounting history, the wisdom of tales and the madness of men. It's a tale that confronts us with our prejudices and amnesias, and reminds us with humour that Africa has something to tell us all.

Produced by Olivier Delahaye for Odelion Films, Soleils is co-produced by Sahelis films (Burkina Faso) and has received a € 350,000 advance on receipts from the French National Film and Moving Image Centre (CNC). Shooting started on June 4 and will wrap on July 22. Negotiations are ongoing for distribution in France and international sales.

(Translated from French)