Atlantics is a supernatural romantic drama set in Senegal following 17 year old Ada who loves a poor construction worker, Souleiman.In Dakar, Senegal, a group of construction workers building a futuristic tower have gone unpaid for months. One of the laborers, Souleiman, is deeply in love with Ada. Their romance is doomed from the start because Ada’s parents have arranged for her to marry a wealthier, more traditional man named Omar.
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Frustrated by wage theft and a lack of opportunities, Souleiman and several of his coworkers leave the country on a dangerous sea voyage to Spain in search of a better life. Shortly after their departure, the boat capsizes. The men are presumed to have drowned in the Atlantic Ocean.
Strange and mysterious events begin to plague the neighborhood. A group of women-all of whom were close to the missing workers become possessed by the spirits of the men. The possessed workers, speaking through the women, infiltrate the home of their wealthy, greedy boss, Mr Ndiaye, to demand the wage he stole from them before they died. The spirits set Mr Ndiaye’s mansion on fire and promise to haunt him until their families are rightfully compensated.
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The spirit of Souleiman possesses Ada’s best friend, Dior. Through her, Ada is able to reunite and spend a final night of passion with the spectral presence of her lost love before the spirit finally departs.
Atlantics shows migration, class exploitation, gender roles and the aftermath of loss.
Atlantics proves that the sea doesn’t just take bodies. It takes boys who were never paid. And sometimes, it sends them back to collect with interest.
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Directed by: Mati Diop
Cast: Ibrahim Traore, Mame Bineta Sane, Amadou Mbow, Nicole Sougou, Aminata Kane
Running time: 104 minutes
Watch trailer here:
