Actually, even our virility depends on the gaze and the control of women. Without women, we cannot do anything. I think it's a good thing.

- Ousmane Sembene

In our society, talking about sex is still a taboo, and of course many village chiefs don't want to hear about that issue. "You are trying to deviate…

- Ousmane Sembene

However long it stays in the river the tree-trunk will never turn into a crocodile.

- Ousmane Sembene

I think cinema is needed throughout Africa, because we are lagging behind in the knowledge of our own history. I think we need to create a culture th…

- Ousmane Sembene

I am really unable to talk about my life - I don't know my life. I've travelled a lot and this is the life that I have lived, but that doesn't mean t…

- Ousmane Sembene

The development of Africa will not happen without the effective participation of women. Our forefathers' image of women must be buried once for all.

- Ousmane Sembene

It isn't those who are taken by force, put in chains, and sold as slaves who are the real slaves; it is those who will accept it, morally and physica…

- Ousmane Sembene

Nobody can deny that we have a lot of wars going on; brothers killing brothers; we have a lot of diseases and catastrophes. But on the other hand, we…

- Ousmane Sembene

The only way for us to come out of poverty is to work hard. Poverty means begging throughout the world.

- Ousmane Sembene