Exploring Souleymane’s Journey: An Insightful Film Review of an African Worker’s Life in Paris

Movies about migrants have become quite popular, especially in recent years. Films like Tori and Lokita by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Flee by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, The Other Side of Hope by Aki Kaurismäki, and The Swimmers by Sally El Hosaini capture the struggles and journeys of migrant workers. Another significant addition is Souleymane’s Story by Boris Lojkine, which opened in Israel on January 16. This film tells a poignant tale of an African asylum seeker in Paris, showcasing the human side of immigration stories that often get lost in the headlines.

Souleymane’s Story won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes, primarily due to Abou Sangare’s remarkable performance as Souleymane. Although he was once a non-professional actor, he has received several accolades, including Best European Actor at the 2024 Europe Film Awards. Many believe he deserves an Oscar nomination, but as the film portrays, the world is not fair.

The story unfolds over two crucial days before Souleymane’s immigration interview. His scene in the interview room is one of the most emotional moments in recent film history. The film highlights how many migrants leave their homes in search of better lives. In many developed countries, an underground economy thrives on the labor of these workers, often going unnoticed by authorities.

Souleymane, originally from Guinea, travels to France to support his sick mother, who remains back home. To stay in Paris, he needs his asylum application approved. He is being coached by a social worker on what to say during his interview, telling him to claim he faced political persecution back in Guinea. This task proves to be daunting for Souleymane, who has limited formal education.

He survives by delivering food on a bike and pays a hefty fee to a licensed deliveryman who can legally work through an app. Unfortunately, as an asylum seeker, he cannot apply for such a license. Almost all his earnings go back home to his mother, while he spends nights in a shelter.

Every late delivery threatens his fragile situation. To maintain his rating on the app, he rides chaotically through busy Paris streets, making his daily grind feel like an intense race. Despite facing numerous challenges, Souleymane’s determination makes him a relatable and sympathetic hero. As viewers, you can’t help but root for him as he navigates his precarious life while trying to remember the fabricated story he needs to tell the authorities.

The film offers a glimpse into the migrant community, where people from various African nations connect through their shared language, French. They sometimes help each other but also view each other with jealousy. Souleymane encounters newcomers asking for help to secure work, adding pressure to his already difficult circumstances.

One misstep could lead to deportation and jeopardize his mother’s health back home. After watching this powerful and skillfully acted film, you’ll likely see migrant workers in a new light as they navigate their daily lives. Their stories are complex and deserve our attention and empathy.