By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.125 cats
Director: Boris Lojkine
Starring: Abou Sangare | Alpha Oumar Sow | Emmanuel Yovanie | Nina Meurisse | Younoussa Diallo
Original language title: L'histoire de Souleymane
Year: 2025
Running time: 93
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32086046
Diane says: “A very tense film about 48 hours in the life of a Guinean man seeking asylum in France. I am remembering that, in the discussion of a similar movie, I asked what was the point of me watching it, and Laks said developing empathy was enough.
“The movie begins with a close-up on Souleyman, with the sound cut out, so we know we will stick very close to him for the duration. His story is the story of these painful 48 hours, doing bicycle deliveries, staying in the shelter system, getting roughed up. His story is the story he will tell at his asylum interview…
“A humanist thriller. 4 cats and a best actor nom for Abou Sangare.”
Michael says: “I was quite taken by SOULEYMANE’S STORY. Most of the film portrayed what, to me, seemed like a very accurate depiction of what it must be like to be a refugee in a country whose system is designed to put as many barrier to success as possible in the way of being granted asylum. Somehow, Souleymane persists in moving forward, trusting in Allah and a belief in himself, that eventually the system will work for him. When it ultimately fails, he is forced to try the one thing he is most frightened of trying. And that’s where this film was elevated into something that just hit me so hard. The intense final 15 minutes or so were so emotional and powerful for me that despite the beautifully unresolved conclusion, I was just powerfully grabbed by how it all played out.
“Abou Sangare, in his first film role, truly deserved the Gotham award he received for Breakthrough Performance. His open face, his desperate yet trusting nature, and his intense day-to-day activities all combined into one riveting performance. I also found it amusing that writer/director Brois Lojkine also played the very unlikable restauranteur who wouldn’t give Souleymane his order. This movie has stuck with me for days, and I truly appreciated the lively discussion we had Sunday night with all the varied points-of-view expressed. 4.25 cats“