Cycling through crowded Parisian streets while hustling as an illegal food courier, Souleymane has less than 48 hours to prepare for his asylum interview by rehearsing the details of his migration from Guinea between deliveries. Trouble is, the story he’s desperately trying to memorize is a lie. Exhausted by the grueling grind of the gig economy and hopping between homeless shelters, Souleymane barely has the time—or the money—to meet with Barry, an immigration broker who promises that a fake story about political persecution in Guinea will guarantee asylum. Racing against time as he navigates the faceless bureaucracies and merciless systems fencing him in, Souleymane struggles not to lose himself in his pursuit of freedom.
A multiple award winner at Cannes, the Cesars, and the European Film Awards, Souleymane’s Story is a propulsive social realist drama centered around a virtuosic, heartrending performance from newcomer Abou Sangare. An angry, tender film in the mode of the Dardenne brothers, this is as gripping as any thriller.
Gripping… intelligent and empathetic. Sangare is magnetic.
Variety
Dazzling.
Le Monde
Boris Lojkine
Abou Sangare, Nina Meurisse, Alpha Oumar Sow, Emmanuel Yovanie, Younoussa Diallo, Ghislain Mahan
France
2024
In French, Fulah and Malinke with English subtitles
Jury Prize, and Best Actor: Un Certain Regard, Cannes 2024; 4 Cesar Awards; 2 European Film Awards
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Credits
Executive Producer
Bruno Nahon
Screenwriter
Boris Lojkine, Delphine Agut
Cinematography
Tristan Galand
Editor
Xavier Sirven
Original Music
Marc-Olivier Brullé, Pierre Bariaud, Charlotte Butrak, Samuel Aïchoun
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