Niamanto Sanogo

Niamanto Sanogo is a Malian actor best known for his powerful performances in landmark African films directed by the legendary Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cissé. In Yeelen (Brightness / Light, 1987), a mythical African drama—which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival—Sanogo delivered a memorable dual performance. He played Soma Diarra, a ruthless father and member of a feared Bambara secret society who plots to kill his own son, as well as Djigui, the twin brother. He reunited with director Souleymane Cissé for the epic drama, Waati (Time, 1995), appearing as Rastas' prophet.