“Samba” reflects the goodwill of French films style

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From Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, the acclaimed writing and directing duo of The Intouchables, are back with “Samba.” For ten years, Senegalese immigrant Samba (Sy) has stayed under the government radar, taking menial kitchen jobs in the hope of becoming a professional chef.  Suddenly, as his longtime ambitions for a better life seem just within reach, immigration authorities hit Samba with an order to leave France immediately. Stubbornly holding onto his dream, Samba pins his hopes for a reprieve on a local immigration advocacy center and Alice (Gainsbourg), an emotionally vulnerable volunteer with little experience but plenty of heart. He finds a second home at the center with Alice and her colleagues, including brusque law student Manu (Izïa Higelin), do-gooder Marcelle (Hélène Vincent) and naïve Maggy (Jacqueline Jehanneuf), as they search for a way for him to stay in France.

During 1 hr. 58 min Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano reflect a new comic drama style. Both are versatile and irresistible. This film is, in the context of French society, quite embarrassing. The French are often loved for being articulate and sophisticated. But this film reveals that there is still profound resistance to engage with the issues of representation of French society because of resistances to debate about immigration, multiculturalism, and race. Anxiety, confusion, and discomfort are elements seen in this film in which ending will surprise you.