In a celebratory press email from Pyramide Distribution, French distributor of Cannes 2024 selection “L’Histoire de Souleymane” (Souleymane’s Story), the company reported that the film had approached USD 1 million in its opening week, with around 130,000 admissions across 250 screens in France.
Directed by Boris Lojkine, “L’Histoire de Souleymane” follows Souleymane, a Guinean immigrant living undocumented in Paris, unfolding over 48 hours as he works as a bicycle courier, and prepares for a crucial asylum interview.
This strong opening, despite its challenging themes and sparse structure, prompted a closer look at the elements contributing to its success.
How essential are targeted, festival-driven, culturally relevant marketing and distribution strategies in achieving commercial success for films like this one?
In short, very!
For Akoroko Premium subscribers, I provided an analysis of “L’Histoire de Souleymane’s” $1 million box office opening in France, contextualizing it within the continuum of French socio-political dramas like “La Haine” and “Les Misérables,” and examining the factors contributing to its success.
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