Adrien James Prince de Capistran, affectionately known as “Uncle Didine,” was a pioneering Gabonese actor who passed away on January 5, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of storytelling.
Establishing his screen career in the early 1980s, Prince de Capistran became a defining figure in Gabonese cinema and television, contributing to films and iconic television series like “L’Auberge du Salut” (Salvation Inn).
His work often reflected the challenges and growth of Gabon’s underdeveloped film and TV landscape, symbolizing the nation’s cultural narratives and identity.
Despite his impact, Prince de Capistran expressed frustration over Gabon’s lack of institutional recognition.
However, his influence endures, inspiring contemporary Gabonese filmmakers as they build on a more promising cinematic landscape of a country almost entirely absent in global conversations about African cinema.
Unfortunately, the films and series Prince de Capistran appeared in are not widely accessible, if at all. Some can be found on video-sharing platforms like YouTube, even if lacking English subtitles.
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