SOULEYMANE'S STORY (L'HISTOIRE DE SOULEYMANE) Boris Lojkine, France, 2024, 92 min, in French, with English subtitles Cannes FF 2024, Un Certain Regard Best Performance, and Jury Prize, Nominated, Un Certain Regard Award; Jerusalem FF 2024, Winner, Best International Film; Reykjavik FF 2024, Nominated, Best Film; Pingyao FF 2024, Winner, Best Director, Nominated, Best Film Showtime: Saturday, November 9 2024, at 7:30PM In Boris Lojkine’s fourth film, the story follows Souleymane (Abou Sangare), an undocumented immigrant from Guinea, over two intense days in Paris. Working as a bike courier, he grapples with the demands of the gig economy, delivering food from morning to night under a rented account within a precarious underground system. While struggling to prepare for an upcoming asylum interview, Souleymane faces the pressures of meeting his broker’s demands for paperwork and payment while adhering to his shelter's strict rules. Amid the chaotic streets, brief moments of warmth and connection highlight his resilience, whether through camaraderie with fellow couriers or tender customer exchanges. First-time actor Sangare delivers a heartfelt portrayal of Souleymane’s vulnerability and quiet strength, culminating in an emotionally charged asylum interview that will determine his future. Combining the urgency of a thriller with the depth of social drama, Souleymane’s Story offers a powerful exploration of the immigrant experience in modern urban life. (fb)

Mongrels Jerome Yoo, Canada, 2024, 111 min, in English and Korean, with English subtitles, Toronto Premiere Vancouver FF 2024, Emerging Canadian Director Award In rural Canada in the 1990s, a Korean family, a widower, his teenage son, and young daughter, attempts to find footing in a new land while navigating the dark forests of grief. Sonny has been hired to eradicate the feral canines plaguing the town, while sensitive Hajoon figures out what it means to be a man. Finally, young Hana, missing her mother, dreams up ways to make her return. Trailer: (fb)