Souleymane's Story

2024 [FRENCH]

Drama

7
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 100% · 29 reviews
IMDb Rating 7.6/10 10 4022 4K

illegal immigration homelessness working immigrants worker exploitation

Plot summary

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.

Director

Boris Lojkine Photo
Boris Lojkine

Top cast

Nina Meurisse Photo
Nina Meurisse as L'agente de l'OFPRA
Hamid Chbiki Photo
Hamid Chbiki as
Wabinlé Nabié Photo
Wabinlé Nabié as
Boris Lojkine Photo
Boris Lojkine as Le restaurateur
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
861.23 MB
1080*720
French 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  fr  
24 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 16
1.73 GB
1620*1080
French 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  fr  
24 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 48

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Giuseppe_Silecchia 8 / 10

A raw and poignant glimpse into resilience

Souleymane's Story is a gripping and deeply human tale that sheds light on the struggles of asylum seekers in modern Paris. Directed by Boris Lojkine, the film follows Souleymane, a food delivery cyclist racing against time to prepare for a critical interview that could determine his future. In just 91 minutes, the narrative delivers an unflinching portrayal of survival, hope, and the emotional toll of uncertainty.Abou Sangaré's performance is a revelation, capturing the vulnerability and determination of a young man caught between the harsh realities of his daily life and the weight of his dreams. The supporting cast, including Nina Meurisse, adds depth to the story, highlighting the fragile human connections Souleymane forms along the way.Lojkine's direction is understated yet powerful, using the streets of Paris as both a backdrop and a character in itself. The cinematography immerses the viewer in the city's contrasting beauty and hostility, mirroring Souleymane's inner turmoil. The film's pacing is tight, and its realism leaves a lasting impact, compelling viewers to confront the humanity behind headlines and statistics.Rating: 8/10 - A heartfelt and necessary exploration of resilience in the face of systemic challenges.
Reviewed by silviamarcomini 10 / 10

Important, no frills, accurate depiction of an average day in the life of an asylum seeker

This film is a punch in the gut and frankly it should be mandatory in schools.I rarely ever cry for movies, but felt like crying here although the flow and.the directorial angle is very matter-of-fact and realistic, not trying to unnaturally elicit emotions in the viewers.Outstanding performance by the lead actor and the movie does a really good job at showing the different aspects of community at play here - the positive interactions and mutual help.with other asylum seekers and the.ruthless exploitation from other immigrants who have managed to successfully.achieve a legal status in France.
Reviewed by DeadDapperDan 8 / 10

Moral dilemma

A well rounded film where we get to witness an Asylum Seeker's life in a France for 3 days. Film does a great job portraying emotions and moral dilemma of the lead character who toils all day to just to pass his interview and get an asylum. We witness personal struggles of the character that brought him to France while preparing for his upcoming interview where he often receives contradicting advice on how to 'crack' the interview. The film can feel slightly cramped due to the range of struggles we get to witness that the lead character undergoes just within the period of 3 days coupled with the moral contradiction. I don't particularly have a criticism but probably wouldn't be my first pick for the Cannes Jury Prize but nevertheless a great watch.
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