World Immigration News

‘Souleymane’s Story’ Review: Boris Lojkine’s Blisteringly Empathetic Immigration Drama

Release Date: 2025-07-26
Media: SLANT
Summary: Souleymane’s Story follows a young Guinean immigrant, Souleymane, as he navigates life in Paris while awaiting an asylum hearing. Directed by Boris Lojkine, the film captures the relentless grind of undocumented life, portraying Souleymane's exhausting work as a food delivery driver using a rented UberEats account. The film uses a handheld, immersive style to reflect the instability and constant motion of his existence.

Souleymane pays a broker to fabricate a political asylum story to improve his chances, memorizing it like scripture. But during his hearing, the interviewer challenges him to tell his real story, exposing the dehumanizing nature of a system that demands scripted suffering to grant legitimacy.

While the film occasionally leans into overly earnest moments in trying to humanize its characters, it largely succeeds in portraying immigrants as more than just victims. Through a series of small, painful encounters—from police stops to betrayals by friends—it paints a broader picture of how modern society is designed to exploit the vulnerable while protecting the privileged.

Ultimately, Souleymane’s Story is a powerful indictment of an opaque and inhumane immigration system. Rather than focusing on individual morality, it critiques the broader structures that devalue and grind down people like Souleymane, offering a deeply human yet politically sharp commentary.
Tags: France

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