What is there to say about “Atlantics” that hasn’t been said before? The new film from Mati Diop has received nothing but rave reviews since it’s world premiere at Cannes and has gone on to wow audiences at various other festival screenings this year. And it was so well-received that the drama was snatched up by Netflix and given a prime fall streaming/theatrical release.
For those that aren’t aware of the film, “Atlantics” tells the story of a young woman that finds herself in the middle of a very unique love triangle. After the true love of her life disappears mysteriously, teenager Ada is then promised to another man, but still secretly pines after her lost love. Things get complicated when Souleiman returns to be with Ada.
Mati Diop’s award-winning film stars Mama Sané, Amadou Mbow, Ibrahima Traoré, Nicole Sougou, Amina Kane, Mariama Gassama, Coumba Dieng, Ibrahima Mbaye, and Diankou Sembene. As mentioned, the film is the latest from filmmaker Diop and was incredibly well received on the festival circuit this year. At the Cannes Film Festival, “Atlantics” ended up winning the Grand Prix and was eventually selected by Senegal as the country’s Oscar submission.
“Atlantics” will drop on Netflix on November 29.
Here’s the synopsis:
After a group of unpaid construction workers disappears at sea one night in search of a better life abroad, the women they have left behind in Dakar are overwhelmed with a mysterious fever. Ada, 17, secretly grieves for her love Souleiman, one of the departed workers, but she has been promised to another man. After a fire breaks out on her wedding night, a young policeman is sent to investigate the crime. Little does he know that the aggrieved workers have come back as haunting, possessive spirits. While many of them seek vengeance for their unpaid labor, Souleiman has come back for a different purpose – to be with his Ada one last time.