Gabonese cinematographer Roland Duboze dies in Libreville at 65

He was preparing to leave the hospital after a two-week stay. Duboze dedicated nearly four decades to Gabonese cinema, working as a camera operator, director of photography, and occasional director. He studied cinema at the Institute of Media Arts IAD in Brussels in 1978 and spent over 30 years with the National Center for Gabonese Cinema CENACI, which later became the Gabonese Institute of Image and Sound IGIS in 2010.

Duboze was known for his work behind the camera, contributing to numerous Gabonese productions. His most recognized personal work is "Pierre de Mbigou," a 26-minute documentary about steatite and sculptors in southern Gabon. His filmography includes productions such as "Les Albinos en Afrique" 1997, "Go zamb’olowi" 1999, "N’Djamena City" 2006, "Home Studio" and "Tout Blanc tout Noir" 2010, "L’Épopée de la musique gabonaise" and "Le Maréchalat du roi Dieu" 2011, and "Pango et Wally" 2013.

Duboze also directed "Artisanat d’or" in 1982. He was a critical observer of the national film industry, lamenting the lack of a sustainable industry despite early public funding and expressing concerns about the loss of traditional skills with the advent of digital technology. His passing marks the loss of a significant figure in Gabonese audiovisual history, following other pioneers like Philippe Mory and Charles Mensah.