

Souleymane's Story

As he pedals through the streets of Paris to deliver meals, Souleymane repeats his story. In two days, he has to go through his asylum application interview, the key to obtaining papers, but Souleymane is not ready.
As he pedals through the streets of Paris to deliver meals, Souleymane repeats his story. In two days, he has to go through his asylum application interview, the key to obtaining papers, but Souleymane is not ready.
Brilliant masterpiece, in the vein of Ken Loach.
“L’Histoire de Souleymane” is a profound and gripping cinematic masterpiece that masterfully blends social commentary with the intensity of a thriller, leaving me without a moment of rest. The film’s raw, realistic portrayal of Souleymane’s day-to-day struggles against systemic challenges is deeply emotional and unsettling.
One of the most remarkable elements of the film is its refusal to rely on traditional cinematic tools like background music. Instead, Lojkine captures the chaotic soundscape of Paris itself, enhancing the film’s sense of urgency and realism. This minimalistic yet powerful approach creates a tense atmosphere where the viewer is fully immersed in Souleymane’s world.
The film’s raw emotional depth and socially relevant themes make it not only a must-see for lovers of socially conscious storytelling, but also a groundbreaking work that redefines how immigrant stories can be told on screen. It’s a unique cinematic experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
A deeply moving and empathetic depiction of an immigrant's struggle, Souleymane's Story is a breathtaking film that leaves you overwhelmed with emotion. It tackles the harsh reality of undocumented life with sensitivity, avoiding any sense of melodrama. A challenging subject handled with grace and success.
[Cannes '24] One of the most interesting elements of this proposal is the way in which the protagonist constantly uses lies, so that his reality is not a heroic story of violence and survival (it is, but not in the sense that immigration policies demand). The film takes place in the two days prior to the interview at the OFPRA that could change Souleymane's life, turned into a hell against the clock that adopts the rhythm of a frenetic thriller that runs through the streets of Paris as a permanently hostile environment. Using the simplicity of the narrative approach, the direction reinforces the oppressive nature of which the protagonist is a victim. And the final twenty minutes demonstrate a surprising emotional projection in debutant Abou Sangare.
Brilliant masterpiece, in the vein of Ken Loach.
“L’Histoire de Souleymane” is a profound and gripping cinematic masterpiece that masterfully blends social commentary with the intensity of a thriller, leaving me without a moment of rest. The film’s raw, realistic portrayal of Souleymane’s day-to-day struggles against systemic challenges is deeply emotional and unsettling.
One of the most remarkable elements of the film is its refusal to rely on traditional cinematic tools like background music. Instead, Lojkine captures the chaotic soundscape of Paris itself, enhancing the film’s sense of urgency and realism. This minimalistic yet powerful approach creates a tense atmosphere where the viewer is fully immersed in Souleymane’s world.
The film’s raw emotional depth and socially relevant themes make it not only a must-see for lovers of socially conscious storytelling, but also a groundbreaking work that redefines how immigrant stories can be told on screen. It’s a unique cinematic experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.