Private Project

Cimetière de Vie

Bassirou Sène dedicated his life to Dakar’s main cemetery, following in his father's footsteps as a gravedigger. This profession, inherited against his will, forced him to drop out of school and struggle to survive. For twenty years, without any official status, he maintained the graves and inscribed the names of the deceased to make a living. Among the graves he tended are those of iconic figures of African cinema such as Djibril Diop Mambety and Sembène Ousmane.

Filmmaker Mamadou Moustapha Gueye, known as "Sounou," set out to document Bassirou's life, forming a deep bond with him. Tragically, Sounou passed away before the film was completed, and it was Bassirou himself who dug his grave. This gives the film a deeply moving dimension, reinforcing its meditation on life, death, and those who work in the shadows of cemeteries.

  • Mamadou Moustapha GUEYE
    Director
  • Mamadou Moustapha GUEYE
    Writer
  • Yoro Mbaye
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Cimetière de Vie
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    58 minutes
  • Country of Origin:
    Senegal
  • Country of Filming:
    Senegal
  • Language:
    French, Wolof
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Saint-Louis
    Senegal
    April 30, 2025
    National Premiere
Distribution Information
  • WawKumba
    Distributor
    Country: Senegal
    Rights: All Rights
Director - Mamadou Moustapha GUEYE