A quiet but powerful immigrant story unfolds in this intimate and beautifully observed Parisian drama.
by Nav Qateel
Written and directed by Stevan Lee Mraovitch, and put together for only $230,000, Where There Is Love, There Is No Darkness tells the story of Senegalese delivery cyclist Seydou, a man who has arrived in Paris to work hard and save money. With a pregnant wife back home in their small village, Seydou is determined to give his wife and child a good start in life, but obstacles get in the way, causing a few bumps on the road, and we see Seydou lean into his faith to guide him.
Played by Oumar Diaw, we watch as Seydou goes about his day delivering pizza to people who are not always pleasant, threatening him with bad reviews. However, Seydou does his best to get on with his job. He and his three friends meet up regularly and reminisce over how beautiful their homeland is and how much they miss things.
One day their boss goes missing along with their access to money, leaving them in serious trouble, especially Seydou who owes money to lenders. To make matters worse, Seydou’s wife tells him that the doctor is demanding payment for the impending birth of their child, putting immense pressure on Seydou. After dropping off food to a lonely old man, Seydou begins a friendship that gives the elderly Albert (Albert Delpy) a new lease on life.
This is a heartwarming tale of cultures coming together to help solve some of the problems that arise when you’re in a country that isn’t your own but you’re doing your best to survive. The stoic Seydou is in constant contact with his wife, and they encourage each other when they’re feeling down and plan for the future. Seydou has three good friends, and together they keep one another going as they joke around to cheer each other up.
Mraovitch does a great job of showing the relationship between Albert and Seydou, as the elderly man goes from being suspicious to highly appreciating Seydou’s companionship. It feels natural thanks to solid performances from both actors, who work well in front of the camera. And speaking of the camera, the shots of Paris, particularly when Seydou is cycling through the streets, are especially well done, with the camera always finding the right angle.
Where There Is Love, There Is No Darkness is well worth your time, and an easy recommendation.
Nav’s Score: 7.5/10
