Almost fifteen months after it took the 2024 Cannes Film Festival by storm, Boris Lojkine‘s brilliant humanist drama “Souleymane’s Story” finally reaches US theaters. Lojkine’s third feature was a festival favorite last May, taking home the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, as well as Best Actor for newcomer and non-actor Abou Sangaré.
READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2025
Spanning a tense 48 years, “Souleymane’s Story” follows a Guinean immigrant whose future in Paris hinges on his upcoming asylum application interview.
Here’s an official synopsis courtesy of Kino Lorber:
Racing through the streets of Paris, making food deliveries on his bicycle, Guinean immigrant Souleymane is struggling to stay afloat. In two days, he has to report for an asylum application interview, where he must plead his case to an immigration officer who will determine his future in France. As he rides, he repeats his story. But Souleymane is not ready. Drawing inspiration from Cristian Mungiu’s 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and evoking the humanist films of the Dardennes, Boris Lojkine’s urgent, propulsive third feature never leaves Souleymane’s side in a deeply affecting account of the daily trials and uncertain futures faced by migrants in France and around the world.
Along with Sangaré, “Souleymane’s Story” also stars Nina Meurisse, Alpha Oumar Sow, Emmanuel Yovanie, Younoussa Diallo, and Ghislain Mahan. Mamadou Barry, Yaya Diallo, and Keita Diallo round out the main cast.
Along with directing, Lojkine also co-writes the drama with Delphine Agut. Bruno Nahon serves as producer on the film.
As noted earlier, the film was a huge hit at Cannes 2024, winning the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, Sangaré Best Actor, and the FIBRESCI Prize. The film then went on to receive eight César nods, including Best Film, and won four, including Best Supporting Actress for Meurisse, Best Male Revelation for Sangaré, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
“Souleymane’s Story” hits IFC Center in NYC on August 1 and the Laemmle Royal in LA on August 8. Watch a trailer for Lojkine’s latest below.
