Black Tea (film)

Black Tea

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2024
Founder	Abderrahmane Sissako
Products	Romantic drama film
Parent	Gaumont Film Company (distributor)

Black Tea is a 2024 romantic drama co-written and helmed by Abderrahmane Sissako. Featuring Nina Mélo and Chang Han, the narrative centers on an Ivorian woman in her thirties who relocates to China and develops a romantic relationship with a 45-year-old Chinese man.

This film represents an international collaboration among France, Mauritania, Luxembourg, Taiwan, and Ivory Coast. It was selected to compete in the main Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, held from 15 to 25 February 2024, with its world premiere taking place on 21 February at the Berlinale Palast. The French theatrical release occurred on 28 February 2024.

Synopsis

Aya, a young woman from Ivory Coast, surprises everyone by refusing to marry on her wedding day. She then moves to Guangzhou, China, where she secures employment at a tea export company. There, she encounters Cai, a Chinese man aged 45, and they fall in love. However, their relationship is tested by personal histories and societal prejudices.

Cast

• Nina Mélo as Aya
• Chang Han as Cai
• Wu Ke-xi
• Michael Chang
• Pei Jen Yu
• Wei Huang
• Emery Gahuranyi
• Isabelle Kabano
• Marie Odo
• Franck Pycardhy
• Cheikh Ahmed Kenkou

Production

Under the direction and co-authorship of Abderrahmane Sissako, the project—initially known as The Perfumed Hill—stars Nina Mélo, Chang Han, and Wu Ke-xi. The production companies involved include Cinéfrance Studios, Archipel 35, and Dune Vision. French distribution and international sales rights are managed by Gaumont Film Company. The inspiration for the film came from the director’s discovery of "La Colline Parfumée" (The Perfumed Hill), a restaurant operated by an Afro-Chinese couple.

Release

Black Tea made its debut on 21 February 2024 during the Competition segment of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. It was subsequently released in French cinemas on 28 February 2024 through Gaumont Film Company and served as the closing film for the 39th Mons International Film Festival on 16 March 2024. Additionally, it is scheduled to be showcased in the 'Panorama' section at the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival on 27 September 2024.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 22% approval rating based on nine reviews, with an average score of 6/10. Metacritic assigns it a weighted average of 52 out of 100 from four reviews, indicating a "Mixed or Average" reception. According to AlloCiné, which compiled nineteen press reviews, it has an average rating of 2.6 out of 5.

Ben Rolph from AwardsWatch awarded the film an A grade, commending director Abderrahmane Sissako for his nuanced storytelling and command over the narrative. He praised the lead actors for delivering refined and subtle performances, particularly highlighting Nina Mélo’s portrayal of Aya. Rolph also noted cinematographer Aymerick Pilarski’s observational approach, describing the visuals as "exceptionally beautiful." He concluded that Black Tea is an impressive work with a universally relevant message.

In contrast, Guy Lodge of Variety criticized the movie for its lack of atmospheric depth and interpersonal chemistry, labeling it a "disappointingly weak brew." Jordan Mintzer from The Hollywood Reporter called it "enigmatic to a fault," observing that despite having an intriguing protagonist, the storyline falters. Clarence Tsui of South China Morning Post rated it 2 out of 5 stars, pointing to awkward dialogue and underdeveloped characters while questioning its depiction of the African diaspora in China.

Rachel Pronger at IndieWire gave it a B rating, appreciating its warmth but noting an absence of profound complexity. Fabien Lemercier from Cineuropa praised Sissako’s fusion of African and Asian cultural elements along with dreamlike and realistic tones, describing it as a mysterious and melancholic meditation on love and liberty. Jonathan Romney of ScreenDaily found the film eccentric but ultimately lacking completeness. Nicholas Bell at Ion Cinema rated it one star, calling it dull and a significant departure from Sissako’s acclaimed prior work, Timbuktu.

Accolades

The motion picture was chosen to compete at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival and was put forward as a contender for the Golden Bear prize.

Award	Date	Category	Recipient	Result
Berlin International Film Festival	25 February 2024	Golden Bear	Abderrahmane Sissako	Template:Nom

External links

• Black Tea on Berlinale