Award-Winning Abou Sangaré Barred from Cinema Lacking Proper Passport!

As Canadian actor Théodore Pellerin took home the César Award for Most Promising Actor at the 51st ceremony on February 26, many are wondering about last year’s winner, Abou Sangaré. First gaining attention at the Cannes Film Festival, where “The Story of Souleymane” by Boris Lojkine was showcased in the Un Certain Regard section, Sangaré quickly won over both critics and audiences.

What’s Happening with Abou Sangaré?

“The Story of Souleymane” portrays the hectic life of a young Guinean man who balances his job as a bicycle courier in Paris with his efforts to prepare for an asylum interview, hoping to secure his residency papers. This plot mirrors the real-life challenges faced by Abou Sangaré, who arrived in France at the age of 15 and was under an order to leave the country (OQTF).

After the film’s success, which drew over 650,000 viewers, Sangaré was able to secure a residence permit. Despite this, his situation today remains largely unchanged, as reported by Ouest-France and Le Courrier Picard, who recently interviewed him.

Unable to Film with Omar Sy

Currently residing in Amiens and working at a tool and equipment rental company in Paris, Sangaré still harbors aspirations to continue his acting career. However, he is unable to join the cast of Ladj Ly’s upcoming film, “Dumas – Black Devil,” due to issues with his passport that prevent him from participating in the shoot.

This major production by Pathé tells the lesser-known story of Thomas Alexandre Davy de La Pailleterie Dumas, a slave born in 1762 in the Caribbean who rose to become a General in the French army during the Revolution. His son went on to become one of the world’s most famous writers: Alexandre Dumas. The cast includes notable actors such as Omar Sy, Vincent Cassel, and François Civil.

Speaking to Ouest-France, Sangaré comments, “Before I can be an actor, I need a long-term residence permit, so I’m working on that.” He continues to audition for roles actively.