Saturday Evening - The Story of Souleymane

THE STORY OF SOULEYMANE

(Original title: L’Histoire de Souleymane)

Director: Boris Lojkine
Cast: Abou Sangaré, Nina Meurisse, Alpha Oumar Sow
Country: France | Duration: 94 minutes
Language: French, Fula, Maninka (with English subtitles)

One of the most vital and talked‑about French films of recent years, writer‑director Boris Lojkine’s The Story of Souleymane follows a young food‑delivery cyclist as he races across Paris while preparing for a life‑altering residency interview. Like many gig‑economy workers, Souleymane lives day to day under immense pressure, navigating the city’s relentless pace while rehearsing a story that may determine his future in France.

Shot with urgent realism and anchored by a remarkable debut performance from Abou Sangaré, the film unfolds over just two tense days, capturing both the exhaustion and quiet humanity of a man caught within an unforgiving system. Compassionate yet propulsive, The Story of Souleymane is essential viewing — a powerful reflection on migration, precarity and the courage required simply to endure.

Awards & Festivals
Winner – 2024 Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard): Jury Prize, Best Actor, FIPRESCI Prize
Winner – 2024 European Film Awards: Best Actor, Best Sound
2025 César Award nominee (7 nominations, including Best Film)

Content advisory: Mature themes and coarse language