L'histoire de Souleymane (The Story of Souleymane)

Food delivery workers have become an indispensable part of city life, especially since the pandemic. Among them is Souleymane, who navigates the perilous traffic of Paris while operating under the "borrowed" identity of someone legally residing in France. Souleymane himself is undocumented and, beyond working tirelessly to survive, dreams of escaping his precarious situation. The prospect of securing legal status seems almost impossible, so he and a so-called advisor concoct a story in hopes of convincing the French immigration authorities. In his third feature film, Boris Lojkine vividly and realistically portrays Souleymane's quest, drawing subtle nods to the classic Ladri di biciclette. The debuting Abou Sangare received high praise for his portrayal of Souleymane, winning Best Actor in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, where the film also took home the Jury Prize. Lojkine's film not only captures the harsh realities faced by undocumented workers but also resonates with the timeless themes of struggle and hope.