‘Souleymane's Story' Review: Fighting an Uphill Battle
The same goes for more abstract afflictions. As played by Abou Sangaré, a first-time actor whose knockout performance won him a César Award, Souleymane's journey is one of endurance. A recent immigrant from Guinea, he feverishly cycles around the city as a food delivery courier — paying to use another man's account since he can't legally work — while he prepares to interview for asylum in France. In between shifts, Souleymane convenes with fellow Guineans who coach him in concocting a sob story that will help clear the bureaucratic hurdles of a system that makes immigration an uphill battle.
With a constantly moving, mostly hand-held shooting style, Lojkine tells his story in the key of subtlety and raw feeling. He steers clear of sentimentality, instead showing the indispensability of mutual support in quotidian interactions. During one scene, an irritable, impatient Souleymane ends up at the door of an older Frenchman. He's in a rush to get to his next delivery, but reflexively slows his tempo to escort the stranger to his chair. It's a small moment of humanity, but it reminds Souleymane — and us — why we fight to survive in the first place.
Souleymane's StoryNot rated. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In theaters.
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