HomeTVGo on a World Tour with 'Walter Presents'

Go on a World Tour with ‘Walter Presents’

Walter Presents: Sakho and Mangane
Credit: Walter Presents

Heading across the Atlantic Ocean, we land in Senegal. ‘Sakho & Mangane’ is the latest jewel in Walter’s crown, and one of the first African series to enjoy a UK broadcast. A heady mix of crime and supernatural, Issaka Sawadogo (who plays the calm and collected Sakho – the perfect foil to the gregarious Mangane) describes the show: “it’s a cop show, but its storyline is rooted in African realities. It’s a combination of a supernatural African thriller and a picture of nowadays African social context – where complex and mystic societies cohabit with modern ways of life”.

Issaka is excited about the prospect of the UK audience enjoying the show: “It’s a great opportunity to promote African stories. It’s a premier for a French-speaking African show, and we’re happy to fulfil the UK broadcaster’s standards in art, innovation and politics. It is also an opportunity for the UK public to discover an African point of view and take on a modern TV format, as well as inviting UK viewers to (re)think what Africa has to offer today to the world”.

Created by Jean-Luc Herbulot, I wondered how Issaka found working with him. “It was easy for me as a professional to understand his work and method. I brought my experience and point of view as well as I could, too”. And he’s encouraged for other African dramas, now that this show is getting an airing in the UK: “I do think African movies and fiction are on the rise today, and that we are finally getting the attention of the general public. We Africans have decided to think and to tell our own stories from our own point of view”.

Finally, I asked Issaka how he has coped during the current pandemic: “I used the lockdown time to initiate and animate an actor’s workshop in Ouagadougou (Burkino Faso’s capital). And let me tell you, there’s a new generation of terrific talent coming to our screens soon!”.

Martin Howse
Martin Howse
Martin is a wannabe Viking who enjoys all things Nordic (literature, film, TV, rock music - and cinnamon buns!). Skål!

Must Read

Advertisement