Beware !

I Jantô! narrates the story of the Malian crisis through the events that have transpired since 2012. The film delves into the root causes of the violent inter-community conflicts that have shaken the country, often labeled as ethnic conflicts. However, I Jantô! seeks to present a more nuanced perspective: it portrays the various facets of this violence and uncovers aspects of the conflicts that are frequently overlooked, moving beyond mere ethnic rivalries to explore political, economic, and social dimensions.

Through moving testimonies from Malian citizens, massacre victims, displaced individuals, and civil society members, the film exposes the suffering and challenges faced by these populations. It also investigates reconciliation efforts, initiatives to restore peace, and the rebuilding of a fractured society. The film highlights the endeavors of a resilient people, yet also raises many unanswered questions:

How can this cycle of violence be broken? How can trust between communities be rebuilt? And most importantly, how can peace be maintained in an unstable international context?

Born in Bamako, Mali, Soussaba CISSE, daughter of director Souleymane CISSE, developed her love of cinema by accompanying her father to film sets and festivals. After graduating, she studied at the Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français in Paris, making three short films, including “N'bah Muso” and “Tinyé Su”, both independent, and “Seben Tan” as her final project. After internships in France and the United States, she turned to directing, exploring the ills of African and French society in a dozen films, covering female circumcision, immigration, depigmentation and child beggars. Three short films tackle the prejudices linked to skin color in wartime Mali. Her feature film “Ngunu Ngunu kan” deals with the 2012 crisis in Mali, evoking Tuareg and ethnic issues and the threat to territorial integrity. It exposes current conflicts in Mali, notably between Peul and Dogon. Soussaba CISSE directs institutional films, including “AKILI SIGUI” for the European Union, exploring security and development in Mali, and “Extraction de l'or : une question de gouvernance locale,” financed by the EU. Her documentary “I Jantô” denounces the security crisis in Mali, revealing terrorist attacks, mass displacements and global greed for Mali's subsoil. A committed filmmaker, Soussaba CISSE contributes to the dynamism of African cinema, promoting traditional values, social cohesion and living together. Her message: Accept yourself and correct whatever is going wrong.