Ivorian Film director, Screenwriter and Producer (1941-2023).

Roger Gnoan M'BALA is a Film director, Screenwriter and Producer.

He is known for "Au nom du Christ" (1992), "Ablakon" (1984), "Bouka" (1988), "Adanggaman" (2000).


Roger Gnoan M'Bala was born in 1941 in Grand Bassam (Ivory Coast). he studied at the independent French cinema conservatory and in Sweden.
From 1968 to 1978 he worked as an assistant to a film director, then as a radio transmission director for the national radio and TV channel.

His short film called Amanie wins the silver tanit at the JCC of Carthage

He directed his first feature film in 1984, Ablakon, a sarcastic and highly active comedy. Fame come with the film, Au nom du Christ (1993) and he wins the youth prize at the Locarno film festival (Swiss) and the Étalon de Yennenga at the Fespaco (Burkina Faso).
Adangamman confirms his talent in 2000. The film depicts the relationship between European slavers in seek of human merchandise and West African kings who would sell them their prisoners. Such a bold theme, combined with his personal talent originated one of the master pieces of late 20th century African cinema.

He died on July 11st, 2023 (he was 82 years old), at Treichville Hospital, Abidjan.


FILMOGRAPHY / FILMOGRAPHIE :
(1970) Koundoum, documentaire (15'), 16mm, NB
(1971) La Biche, fiction (23'), 16mm, NB
(1972) Amanie / Quelles sont les nouvelles?, fiction (32'), 16mm, B&W
(1973) Valisy, fiction, comédie satirique (CM)
(1974) Gboundo, fiction (30'), 16mm, NB
(1974-75) Le Chapeau, fiction (70'), 16mm, color
(1975) Bardo / Le Bardo de San Pedro), fiction (CM)
(1980) Élevage moderne, documentaire (CM), couleur
(1982) France-Côte d'Ivoire, documentaire (CM), couleur
(1984-85) Ablakon, fiction (90'), 35mm, color
(1988) Bouka, fiction (90'), 35mm, color
(1992) Au nom du Christ, fiction (90'), 35mm, color | WINNER : Etalon d'or de Yennenga (FESPACO 1993).
(2000) Adanggaman, Fiction 95 mn, 35 mm, color


Quelle / Fontes / Our Source / Quelle / Nos Sources (MAIS INFORMAÇÕES / READ MORE / PLUS D'INFOS) :
- Africiné Magazine
- www.marfilmes.com/en/africafilms/ablakon.htm
Updated by Thierno DIA, 24 July 2023