#Germany: The first trailer for Abderrahmane Sissako’s anticipated Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2024) Competition title BLACK TEA has arrived!
The story follows Aya, a young Ivorian woman who leaves the Ivory Coast to start anew in Guangzhou, China, where she works in a tea shop and falls in love with the owner, Cai.
The film, described as a universal love story set against the backdrop of Chinese and African cultures, explores the very topical complexities of contemporary Sino-African relations.
Sissako told Variety that he was inspired by a real Afro-Chinese couple’s restaurant in Guangzhou, a city in China known as “Chocolate City.”
BLACK TEA stars Ivorian actress Nina Mélo, in a role that could serve as an international breakout, as well as Chang Han, and Wu Ke-Xi.
It’s produced by Cinefrance Studios, Archipel 35, and Dune Vision.
Immediately after its Berlinale world premiere, Gaumont will release BLACK TEA in France on February 28, 2024. Other territories remain to be sold.
Watch the trailer below: