‘Souleymane's Story' Review: Fighting an Uphill Battle

New York Times

2 days ago

Boris Lojkine's 'Souleymane's Story,' an affecting film about struggle set over two days in Paris, is the rare character study that does not only build empathy with its hero's pain but channels its sensation. At one point, the titular Souleymane tumbles down a flight of stairs and injures his hand. He cleans the gash in a cafe bathroom, then blows softly on the open wound. We can feel the sting.
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.