Souleymane (Abou Sangare) is a hustler in a good way – as a delivery man, he bikes from A to B during the evening peak hours. As the Guinean man pedals through Paris, he memorizes a story that he must repeat during his refugee application. At night, he sleeps in a homeless shelter far away. There, fellow refugees like him share stories about their day. His application is in two days, and he still needs documents from fellow Guinean Barry (Alpha Oumar Sow). Souleymane’s Story, then, depicts that application process where he deals with an OFPRA agent (Nina Meurisse). He must convince that agent that that story is real through Barry’s documents and his words, despite her familiarity with fake stories.

A lot of what viewers will see on this film is upsetting, especially the different people whom Souleymane deals with. Although it at least knows how to toe the line of Western micro aggressions towards racialized working class people. The same goes with its depiction of living conditions of the shelter where Souleymane and his fellow refugees sleep. It breaks up that larger shelter scene with smaller ones where the refugees have to do laundry on a sink. The difference between misery porn and realism, though, are moments of levity that films like this can have, thankfully. The refugees joking about horny delivery customers shows that Souleymane’s Story can give us a break from the sad stuff.

Souleymane’s Story is a film that requires a fast enough pace to capture its titular character biking all over Paris. Aside from his actual job, he also has to chase the obviously skeezy account holder of his delivery app. He also has to chase down Barry who’s catching his own train, presumably going to the northeast boroughs of Paris. Outside of fluorescent lit train stations, the film has its share of clandestine meetings in stores, or in apartment halls. Neon lights sometimes surround Souleymane in a city where many refugees have dreams that become true or shatter. Both the pacing and the visuals give it enough hints of genre while the story grounds itself back into a realistic drama.

Souleymane is a food delivery biker who eats under the mercy of kind people when kindness may not be enough. He contends with people who assume his story, or don’t care about his story, despite its levels of tragedy. Souleymane’s Story denouement is a banger, with the big scene between the titular character and the cynically kind OFPRA agent. He may be lying about his story, but so what, he’s working in the Global North for a better life. His story, the fake one and the real one, reminds me of mine and immigrants, all with unique nuances. It goes without saying that that scene also shows Sangare as a powerhouse who I hope to see more of.

Canadian film lovers can see Souleymane’s Story in select theatres.