Our Work

Dolce Vita Africana

Cosima Spender

A documentary about internationally renowned Malian photographer Malick Sidibe, whose iconic images of his country from the late 1950s through to the 70s captured the carefree spirit of his generation asserting their freedom after independence up until an Islamic coup ushered in years of military dictatorship. The filmmakers travel to Malick Sidibe's studio in Bamako to witness him at work and meet many of the subjects of his earlier photographs, whose personal stories also tell the history of Mali. Embellished with a fantastic soundtrack that features the best in Malian music

“In an evocative portrait, Spender captures Sidibé at work in the tiny Bamako studio he has used since the 1950s. Dolce Vita Africana also serves as a lively snapshot of Malian society over the last 40 years.” The Daily Telegraph