An understated yet stirring portrait of survival, identity and invisible labour.
There’s a quiet power running through The Story of Souleyman, a stillness that draws you in, even when not much is being said. Directed by Boris Lojkine, this French drama follows a young undocumented migrant trying to make it in Paris, stuck in limbo while waiting on his asylum papers. It’s a simple story on the surface, but one that carries real emotional weight.
“ A rare film that doesn’t shout “
Abou Sangaré in his debut feature role gives a standout performance as Souleyman. He barely says much, but every glance, every pause, tells you exactly how tired, watchful and worn down he is. The film follows him through his daily routine, delivering food, dealing with paperwork, preparing for an audition that may or may not change anything. It’s slow and grounded, but always compelling..
The camera stays close, handheld and observational, almost documentary-like in its intimacy. We follow Souleyman through the streets of Paris, often from behind, as if we’re trailing him, and the film makes us sit with the frustration and uncertainty of waiting for a decision, for paperwork, for recognition. It’s as much a story of survival as it is about the erasure of identity through endless deferral.
And yet, The Story of Souleyman is never overly bleak or heavy-handed. It’s full of small moments of beauty and solidarity: a co-worker’s quiet gesture, a rehearsal filled with potential, a glance that says more than words ever could. Lojkine understands that within the systems that crush people, there’s still space for resistance, even if that resistance is simply choosing to carry on.
It’s not a loud film, and it doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow. The pacing is slow, and some might find it too restrained. But stick with it, there’s a quiet emotional hit by the end that really lands.
The Story of Souleyman isn’t flashy, but it’s powerful in its simplicity. A grounded, emotional portrait of someone just trying to be seen. It’s a reminder of all the invisible stories happening around us every day.
Friendship is in cinemas July 17.
