Kino Lorber Acquires Cesar Award and Un Certain Regard Winner 'Souleymane's Story' for U.S. and Canada
“The best discovery of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Souleymane’s Story delivers a political fable with all the grit and urgency of a thriller.”
– Rory O’Connor, The Film Stage
“Sangare is magnetic…there appears to be no limit to how much soul and sensitivity
the actor can bring.”
– Jessica Kiang, Variety
“Riveting…a realistic and very humanistic look at one immigrant’s grueling daily life in Paris.”
– Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter
Kino Lorber has acquired US and English-speaking Canada distribution rights to Boris Lojkine’s Souleymane’s Story, a riveting, ticking-clock drama following a bicycle deliveryman in Paris in the days leading up to his asylum interview. Souleymane’s Story made its World Premiere in Un Certain Regard at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize and the Best Actor Prize for non-professional lead actor Abou Sangare as Souleymane. The film will be released theatrically by Kino Lorber on August 1, followed by a digital, educational, and home video release.
Directed by Boris Lojkine and written by Lojkine and Delphine Agut (Inshallah A Boy), Souleymane’s Story has received widespread critical and audience acclaim since its Cannes premiere, drawing approximately 500,000 admissions in French cinemas upon its release in October 2024. The film received 8 nominations and 4 wins at the Cesar Awards, 5 nominations and 1 win at the Lumiere Awards, and 2 nominations and wins at the European Film Awards, with each awards body recognizing first-time actor Abou Sangare’s stunning debut performance.
Racing through the streets of Paris making food deliveries on his bicycle, Guinean immigrant Souleymane (Sangare) 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 (Nina Meurisse) 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.
The deal for Souleymane’s Story was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of Acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and Agathe Mauruc of Pyramide International.
“We are extremely proud to bring Souleymane's Story to North American audiences,” said Dwyer. “Directed by the exceptionally talented Boris Lojkine, this film takes viewers on a thrilling journey through Paris as seen through the eyes of Souleymane, an asylum seeker with just two days to prepare for an immigration interview. This film resonates deeply in the current U.S. climate, and after experiencing Souleymane's journey, audiences may never look at a delivery person the same way again.”
“I'm thrilled to be releasing the film in the U.S. with Kino Lorber,” said director Boris Lojkine. “My intention was to capture Paris the way American independent cinema captures New York, so having the film shown there means a lot. I'm truly grateful to Sean Baker and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire for their kind support.”
Souleymane’s Story is a Unité production, with the support of Canal+, Cine+. The film is directed by Boris Lojkine, written by Lojkine and Delphine Agut, and produced by Bruno Nahon.