Boris Lojkine, the French director whose film Hope won the SACD Prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and narrated a migrant story, has returned with Souleymane’s Story, a story about a Guinean asylum seeker who cycles around Paris, the most romantic city in the world, not for the sake of love and life but for survival and identity. Souleyman, a courier who delivers food to various customers, captivates us with his journey through the streets of Paris. From the scattered remnants of his thoughts about a political faction he barely touched to his urgent race through the city’s maze as he strives to board the last bus to his temporary haven, the film paints a vivid picture of the relentless, anxiety-filled pace that permeates Souleymane’s life.
As Souleymane navigates the street to find the customer’s address, her deep eyes penetrate the truth of life—the geographical limitation. The destined man endures the hardships of a life he never chose. Souleyman is begging for his mundane rights from anyone around, whether it is the man who is training him how to fabricate a political story for his interview or Emmanuel, who ignores him while he is asking for his money. Every day, we encounter this bitter and familiar new narrative. It serves as a stark reminder of the countless individuals trapped in cycles of despair, where their aspirations are overshadowed by the weight of systemic barriers. As Souleyman navigates this harsh reality, he clings to the hope that one day he will break free from the constraints that bind him, seeking a life filled with dignity and purpose.
Boris Lojkine glimpses the African diaspora while Souleymane encounters them through cycling around Paris. To some extent, at the same level, they bring out the common pain of being cast into an unknown world not for the betterment of life but to survive. He planned to film Souleymane’s Story in the streets of Paris, capturing all the challenges he encountered throughout the process. The camera movement with Souleymane on the bicycle and following every single moment with him gives an uncertain feeling to the audience, as all asylum seekers are around the world. This immersive technique not only highlights Souleymane’s struggles but also evokes empathy in viewers, drawing them into the harsh realities faced by many. By presenting the rawness of his journey, the film aims to spark a conversation about displacement and resilience, urging audiences to reflect on their own perceptions of migration.
Souleymane is preparing for a pivotal interview at OFPRA, a critical juncture in his asylum quest, which is just two days away. In this crucial interim, he turns to Barry (Alpha Oumar Sow), a seasoned broker who offers not only his expertise in navigating the labyrinthine immigration process but also the reassurance of knowing that his paperwork is in capable hands. As they sift through the documents together, Souleymane clings to hope, each signature a step closer to a future filled with possibility. First-time actor Abou Sangare, who portrays Souleyman with his good-natured, hard-working manner and handsome features, catches eyes and asks who is playing the role so plausibly. And the most impressive part of his acting is where he struggles between the bafflement and reality. He is trying to believe and repeat a fallacy that has no place in his life; however, his traumatised life with his sick mother since childhood is a cynical tale that could move any interviewer. As the director said, the story of Soleymane’s sick mother was a real one of Abou Sangare’s. Boris Lojkine believes that he has learnt a lot from the process of filming, and the actors have brought him a sense of joy by showcasing the tangible world of African refugees.
Lojkine’s taut, honed screenplay, co-written by Delphine Agut (Inshallah a Boy), coupled with Tristan Galand’s cinematography, made a grounded and sober narration on Souleymane’s unsteady bicycle. Such a trembling moment, nestling in the depths of human neverending pain, was depicted. Beauty does not captivate Paris; instead, we witness a Guinean asylum seeker relentlessly striving to overcome his ultimate destiny. The crux of the conflict emerges in the interview room as he sits down to decide between truth and falsity.
The declared film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it received both the Jury Prize and the Performance Prize. Souleymane’s Story garnered eight nominations for the 50th César Awards, including Best Film, and won four: Best Supporting Actress (Nina Meurisse), Best Male Revelation (Sangare), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
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