Originally published in Sisters of the Screen: Women of Africa on Film Video and Television. Africa World Press, Trenton, NJ, 2000.
Interview held during FESPACO 1997 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, combined with several conversations via electronic mail during the summer of 1998. Translated from French.
Buud Yam is a sequel to the film Wend Kuuni. The story continues the experiences of the character Wend Kuuni and his sister Poghnéré, as young adults sixteen years later. Poghnéré portrays the same charm as a young adult as she exhibited as a young girl. Could you talk about your character Poghnéré in the film Buud Yam?
I play the role of Poghnéré in the film Buud Yam. In the film Wend Kuuni my character is the only daughter and child of my parents. One day I have a brother, and then we live together, we love each other. When I play the part in Buud Yam, I feel that it is a certain reality for me. I truly feel that I am living this character in the film.
I was touched by the friendship that your character shared with the young woman who was also the girlfriend of your brother, Wend Kuuni in the film. Did you actually feel a sense of kinship towards her?
In Buud Yam, she was a friend that I had since childhood. She was a friend of Poghnéré's in Wend Kuuni and the friendship continues in Buud Yam. We grew up and matured together, she is my best friend in the film. Because Poghnéré and her friend are so close, they were often called twins. If you look closely in the film, you find that their mothers are also very good friends. They were also childhood friends who grew up together, married, and supported each other, and they continue to be friends.
While Serge Yanogo played the same character in both Wend Kuuni and Buud Yam, Rosine Yanogo played the role of Poghnéré in Wend Kuuni. How were you chosen for the role of Pognéré for the film Buud Yam?
It was a great pleasure for me to have acted in Buud Yam. I attended a casting where several young women were present. I passed the first casting and then there was a second one. During the third casting, I was told that I was chosen to play the role, and I was very happy.
Actors certainly contribute to the image of African women in the cinema. What has been your impression of the visual representation of African women in the cinema? Do you feel that as an actor you can contribute to the positive image of African women?
I don't know if I can say that I have really thought about it, the African woman in cinema. Well, people have not really seen the importance of the woman in African cinema. Perhaps when they see a woman acting in a film, they don't give much significance to the role of the African woman. Perhaps in seeing a film such as Buud Yam, or if other films are made with more roles for women, things will evolve. So, yes, I think that perhaps with the little experience that I have that I can contribute to the positive representation of images of women.
Gaston Kaboré was awarded the Etalon de Yennenga [the grand prize of FESPACO] for the film Budd Yam. What was your reaction?
Like everyone else in life, one is allowed to dream. During the festival, my dream was to win the greatest prize. In fact, that is what happened. I was very, very happy, for myself in particular, because it was the first time that I acted in a film—and, on top of that, in a feature film by one of the great filmmakers, Gaston Kaboré. I was also very happy for the entire team because everybody did such a beautiful job, a job that merited such a grand reward as the Etalon de Yennenga. I must say that I was very touched that day.
Of course, you were quite young when the film Wend Kuuni was first made in 1981. Nevertheless, the film has become quite a legend in Burkina Faso and still continues to be shown even today. Do you remember when you first saw the film as a young girl?
Yes, I remember very well having seen Wend Kuuni when I was a little girl. I don't even remember how many times I have seen the film.
Do you remember how you felt about the film then? What were your general reactions and, in particular, your impressions of little Poghnéré?
In general, I remember liking the film very much. When I saw it for the first time, the personality of the two young actors is what impressed me the most. They had two very important roles and they were able to embody the characters with such subtlety. They were quite admirable. I always enjoy seeing the film again and again, if for nothing but to admire little Poghnéré. I think she did so well in her role. While I don't know for sure, she certainly must have attended acting classes. Otherwise, how could one explain such a wonderful performance? Perhaps I may be exaggerating somewhat, but it was top-notch acting.
Having followed little Poghnéré yourself as a little girl, did you ever imagine that as a sequel, when Poghnéré grows into a young woman, that you could actually play the role?
Sincerely, I never imagined that I could be Poghnéré. But as one is wont to say, life is full of surprises, even the greatest of surprises. In reality, it was as if I was dreaming. As I said before, I was very, very excited about having been chosen for the role. When I was chosen for the first casting I thought certainly it must be a mistake. Then when I was called for the second casting I realized that this was really serious. I began to think about what I was going to do on the set, because, in fact, I had never acted in this capacity before. It's true that I had acted in a school play, but that was far from the reality of acting in a film. I felt an enormous responsibility when I learned that I was chosen to play the role of Poghnéré. Later I realized that nothing was impossible in life and that I would simply do my best, what the director expected of me. As I can tell, it turned out very well.
Perhaps the legendary Princess Yennenga gives you a double sense of pride. She was an important female figure in Burkinabé history and the grand prize of FESPACO bears her image. How did you learn about Yennenga? Were you taught about her legend at school?
Yes, at the primary school level we are taught about the history of Yennenga. Yennenga was a princess of the Mossi Kingdom and a great warrior who fought in defense of her kingdom. Hers is a history of an entire people.
How do you feel when you see your image on the big screen? What impression does it give you?
I don't know if other actors have the same reaction, but when I see my image on the screen I only see the negative aspects. I think, "Ah, I could have done better." In other words, I correct myself while viewing my image on the screen. However, in the final analysis, the audience can better judge the actor.
What are some future projects? Another film perhaps?
I don't know. This is my first film, so I don't know quite what I will do next.
What kind of work do you do when you are off-screen?
I pursued secretarial studies and am now working as a medical secretary in pharmacy. I enjoy my work very much.
