L’Histoire de Souleymane (or “Souleymane’s Story” in English) is a complex political storyline wrapped in a touching narrative of the titular Souleymane. Directed by Boris Lojkine, the story follows Souleyman, a Guinean food delivery driver in the heart of Paris, in the two days before he is due to be interviewed about his application for asylum. Since its debut in Un Certain Regard, it has been hailed as a callback to the critical and engaging style of filmmaking that once made Cannes great. Reminiscent of “Two Days One Night” by the Dardenne brothers, the electric energy is created by the compressed storyline and by the and the incredibly authentic performance from lead Abou Sangare. Sangare brings staggering depth to the performance despite being a non-professional actor, with little experience prior.
As Souleymane navigates the perilous streets of Paris, he must navigate a whole other realm of issues to get his asylum application approved. The ugly, gritty streets become a metaphor for the treacherous line he must walk as he tries to earn money from his illegally rented food delivery account (where he pays a heavy rent), in order to pay for the black market documents and coaching he needs to successfully fake his application for residency. There is no rest for the hopeful Guinean migrant, with bad luck around every corner – from car accidents that cripple his precious bike, to rude restaurant owners, sleeping in homeless shelters and on the streets, and the ever present pressure of deportation. Sangare is so real. He’s perfect for this role, which could easily be overplayed with a less authentic actor, giving a grounded performance that echoes the pain and desperation someone in that position must live with every day. In fact all the characters in Souleymane’s orbit are so realistic they weave together the soul of the film – believable bystanders from the mean streets of Paris.
However gripping and grim L’Histoire de Souleymane is, it still keeps an engagingly positive view to this hypothetical slice of life. There are moments dotted throughout, glimmers of hope, that keep Souleyman and the audience buoyed along. It’s a free coffee from a late-night vendor, a sweet from a grateful restaurant worker or even a gesture of trust from a dodgy document dealer. Without these, albeit sparing, ‘Souley of Paris’ might have given up and never made it to his interview after all.
One of the unique elements that sets this film apart is its complete lack of score. Instead the audience are drawn in by Lojkine’s almost exclusive use of diegetic sound. The cacophony of sound serves to enhance the brutality of Paris, but it’s the moments where sound is removed that really matter. Silence. It creates a pressing claustrophobia in some moments, but in others it gives a softness that removes all barriers to us connecting to Sangare’s soulful performance.
L’Histoire de Souleymane is not only thematically an incredibly important film, but also has an unparalleled performance by Abou Sangare. The pressure of the metaphorical ticking clock from his looming asylum interview creates a vacuum – amping up the intensity and drama of the entire narrative. Sangare gives a masterfully poignant performance, never letting go of the grounded humanity he brings. While it is not a true thriller, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
9/10
L’Histoire de Souleymane will be presented as a part of the Alliance Française Film Festival, along with many other stunning French language films from across the globe. Click here to find out more
