The Piercing Immigrant Drama of “Souleymane’s Story”

The Piercing Immigrant Drama of “Souleymane’s Story”

Justin Chang reviews Boris Lojkine’s “Souleymane’s Story,” a sharply observed Paris-set drama, a Guinean refugee struggles to survive—and to cling to the truth of who he is.

“Souleymane’s Story” - The truth and the lies

“Souleymane’s Story,” directed with finesse by Boris Lojkine and written by Lojkine and Delphine Agut, has won almost every imaginable film award in France, from “Un Certain Regard” at Cannes in 2024 to the awards presented to Abou Sangare (Souleymane), including the César (the French Oscar) for Best Male Revelation; the International Cinephile Society Award for Best Actor and Best Breakthrough Performance; the Lumiere (the French Golden Globe) …