Fanta Régina Nacro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fanta Regina Nacro
Born	4 September 1962 (1962-09-04) (age 63)
Nationality	Burkina Faso
Education	Filmmaking,editing and cinematography
Known for	La Nuit de la Vérité (Night of Truth) and Un Matin (Some Morning)

Fanta Regina Nacro, born on September 4, 1962, is a famous filmmaker from Burkina Faso. She is known for being the first woman from her country to direct a full-length movie. She also helped start the African Guild of Directors and Producers. Fanta Nacro is an artist who explores African cinema. She often talks about important topics like health issues and the importance of education for girls. She is seen as part of the "New African Wave" in filmmaking. Her films often look at how old traditions and modern life connect in Burkina Faso today.

Early life and education

Fanta Nacro grew up in the countryside of Burkina Faso. At first, she wanted to become a midwife. But growing up, she heard many stories, which made her interested in filmmaking. A neighbor told her about a film school in Burkina Faso called the Institut d'Education Cinématographique de Ouagadougou (INAFEC).

While studying at INAFEC, Nacro met Idrissa Ouedraogo, a director she later worked with as an editor. She earned her first degree in film and audiovisual studies from INAFEC in 1986. She also got a master's degree in Film and Audiovisual Studies from the Sorbonne in France.

Career in film

Fanta Nacro's first experience in filmmaking happened during her studies at INAFEC. Her film department worked with the film department at Howard University in the United States. Nacro said this project was very important for her. It helped her understand her role in the film industry. She believes that working together with filmmakers from different countries is valuable.

Nacro learned many parts of filmmaking, like editing and cinematography. These skills helped her start her career. She began as a television announcer and then worked in editing. Soon, she started directing and made her first film, Un Certain Matin, in 1991.

In 1999, Nacro, along with Jean-Marie Teno and Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda, created the African Guild of Directors and Producers. This group helps bring more attention to African cinema and supports filmmakers. She is well-known for making short films shown in Europe, Africa, and North America.

Her films

Nacro's first film was a short movie called Un Certain Matin (1992). Since then, she has made many short films. She often uses humor to explore her country's traditions and how they mix with modern life. Her film Bintou won more than twenty awards at international festivals. It also won the Fespaco prize for best short film in 2001.

Nacro believes that films can help people from different cultures understand each other better. She said, "The more Western audiences see African films, the more old ideas will be challenged. Because the more you know someone, the better you understand them. Film can help create real understanding between different nations."

Puk Nini

Puk Nini means "open your eyes." This short film explores relationships between men and women. It features three main characters: Isa, Salif, and Astou. Isa and Salif are married. After their daughter was born, Salif felt Isa was paying more attention to their child. Astou is a character who starts a relationship with Salif.

At first, the film shows Astou from Salif's point of view. But Nacro soon changes this, showing Salif from Astou's point of view. When Isa finds out about Salif's other relationship, she and Astou team up against Salif. Their partnership shows how important it is for women to support each other. Nacro's film encourages women to be independent. It challenges traditional power differences between men and women.

Nacro said her ideas for Puk Nini came from her male friends at the film school. She believes it's important to think about relationships between men and women today.

Le Truc de Konaté

This short film, directed by Nacro in 1997, talks about common misunderstandings about health protection, relationships, and health issues like AIDS. It also shows how things can change in a village in Burkina Faso. Konaté, the main character, is married to three wives and also has other partners. One of his wives, Diénéba, learns about the AIDS virus after visiting town. She learns about the importance of using protection and tells Konaté.

Konaté does not want to use protection, and other men in the village agree with him. When Konaté cannot have physical relationships with his wives, he tries to be with another partner. When he faces a health issue, he goes to town for a cure. There, a health campaigner helps him. Konaté promises to start using protection. He finds a special tree, gets better, and returns home.

Nacro shows how both Konaté and Diénéba learn and change through their journey. The film uses humor and provides important information about health protection. It also highlights the importance of women's voices in relationships, especially concerning health.

Nacro made her first full-length movie, Night of Truth (La Nuit de la Vérité), in 2004.

Filmmaking goals

Nacro has said that a big goal for African directors is to help more people see African films. She believes that more viewers are needed for the film industry to grow in many African countries. She also thinks that feelings and ideas in films are simply human. She said, "There is really no woman's or man's sensibility, but there is simply a human sensibility."

Filmography

Awards and honours

• In 1992, Nacro won the Tanit d'Or for her short film Un Certain Matin at Carthage.
• In 1992, she also received the Licorne d'Or for Un Certain Matin at Amiens.
• In 1993, Nacro won the First Prize Air Afrique for Un Certain Matin at Milan.
• In 1997, her film Puk Nini was nominated at the FESPACO.

See also

In Spanish: Fanta Régina Nacro para niños