Moussa Sène Absa is a celebrated Senegalese filmmaker, artist, and songwriter renowned for his dynamic films and paintings that fuse African traditions with broader human experiences. Born in 1958, he has helmed numerous acclaimed projects while gaining international notice for his artwork displayed in galleries worldwide.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Moussa Sène (known as Moussa Sene Absa) |
| Date of birth | 1958 |
| Place of birth | Tableau Ferraille, Dakar suburb, Senegal |
| Nationality | Senegalese |
| State of Origin | Dakar Region, Senegal |
| Partner | European woman (married) |
| Children | Three children |
| Occupations | Film director, editor, producer, screenwriter, painter, songwriter, actor |
| Net worth | $100,000 – $500,000million |
Early Life and Education
Raised in 1958 in the vibrant suburb of Tableau Ferraille near Dakar, Senegal, Absa came from a household filled with musicians and singers. As a young boy around 1968, he staged shadow plays for friends, igniting his love for narrative arts, before shifting to theater and eventually film.
Career
Absa launched his career as an actor before transitioning to screenwriting, with his early script Les Enfants de Dieu earning recognition at the Fort-de-France Francophone Film Festival. His directorial debut, the 1988 short Le Prix du mensonge (The Price of Lies), won the Silver Tanit at Carthage Film Festival, leading to features like the 16mm Ken Bugul (1991) and shorts such as Jaaraama.
He later expanded into acclaimed comedies including Ça twiste à Poponguine (1994), which secured multiple international prizes, and his breakthrough feature Tableau Ferraille (1996), honored for Best Cinematography at FESPACO in 1997.
Absa produced Senegal Television’s popular comedy series Goorgorlu (2002) and directed hits like L’Extraordinaire destin de Madame Brouette (2003), a box-office success on women’s empowerment; Téranga Blues (2007); Yoole (Le Sacrifice) (2011), where he handled cinematography; and Ngoyaan, le chant de la séduction (2004).
His recent film Xalé (Les Blessures d’Enfance) (2022) explores childhood trauma, complemented by over ten self-financed documentaries on Senegal. A surrealist painter exhibiting since 1976 across Senegal, Europe, and the US, he also composes music for all his films, embodying the multifaceted “homo senegalensis.”
Personal Life
Absa shares his life with a European spouse and raises three children. He keeps further family matters largely out of the public eye.
Net Worth
Moussa Sène Absa’s net worth is estimated at $100,000 – $500,000 as of 2026. His earnings stem from filmmaking, artwork sales, music endeavors, and production roles.
Filmography
Absa’s body of work covers shorts, features, documentaries, and TV, where he frequently takes on varied roles. Highlights feature Tableau Ferraille (1995), L’Extraordinaire destin de Madame Brouette (2002), and his latest Xalé (2022).
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Le Prix du mensonge | 1988 | Director |
| Ken Bugul | 1990/1991 | Director |
| Jaaraama | 1990s | Director |
| Ça twiste à Poponguine | 1994 | Director, Writer, Editor |
| Tableau Ferraille | 1996 | Director, Actor, Screenplay |
| L’Extraordinaire destin de Madame Brouette | 2002/2003 | Director, Writer, Producer |
| Goorgorlu (TV series) | 2002 | Producer |
| Ngoyaan, le chant de la séduction | 2004 | Director |
| Téranga Blues | 2007 | Director |
| Yoole (Le Sacrifice) | 2011 | Director, Camera |
| Sangomaar | 2015 | Screenplay, Direction, Guest |
| Xalé (Les Blessures d’Enfance) | 2022 | Director, Writer |
Awards and Recognitions
His early success featured the Silver Tanit for Le Prix du mensonge (1988) and honors for Ça Twiste À Poponguine (1992). Tableau Ferraille earned Best Cinematography at FESPACO in 1997, while his screenplay Les Enfants de Dieu received recognition at a Francophone event.
