Black Tea

Black Tea is a surprising product of the globalized world in which we live. The issue of African immigration to China has been known for several years, but this is the first time I have seen it portrayed in a film. And what's more, in an African film, directed by a Mauritanian filmaker and partly filmed in Cape Verde, as well as in China.

With beautiful cinematography by Aymerick Pilarski, which makes the movie worth watching, just for it, the film has a plot that oscillates between inter-racial and inter-generational romance, and the problem of racism and discrimination against Africans in China, especially by older generations.

However, no one would say that integration was difficult, when contemplating the exemplary way in which Chinese and Africans meet and collaborate, in that shopping center in Guangzhou, where much of the film unfolds.

Perhaps the essential idea, typical of the proverbial Chinese patience, is that time heals and "sweetens" everything (using the expression of one of the characters), while until then, the communities will slowly merge, as a result of the miscegenation and open-mindedness of the new generations.

A beautiful film, but a little inconsequential, thus leaving the viewer with an uncomfortable doubt.

A mix of all that is elegant in Chinese culture coupled with all that is elegant in what used to be the Kingdoms of West Africa and all of that in a 2024 setting which we are told is Guangzhou but is actually filmed in Taiwan also in Cape Verde for a little bit and the Ivory Coast

the dreamy quality of the tale here is bathed in silk it is soft and sophisticated throughout .... this is the film should have got the Palme D'or in 2024 instead of the garbage they give it to these days

There is a meditation on couples also a small amount of the time is spent on racism in any country, but here is is tangential

The main drive is to do with cultures and the intermingling of those and the possibilities therein

This is a truly beautiful film at a pace which respects humanity

I do not give it a 10 as it is not perfect but almost. Best I have seen in a while

Treat yourselves.

It is good movie. I don't want to say "It reflects Asian or African culture" but it is.

I have been so bored main stream movies. At these days, so many thing are done the same way, technically and emotionally. Everything is ready to consume. No need to make effort to understand characters, "behaviors" and behind their stories. No need to thing before and after. It is just 90 minutes ready to consume.

And story-wise it is ok. No need to be linear or non linear story. Actually, no need to be a story at all. Yes, I am talking about movies. I think, it can be like tea. You can drink it in three sips. Visually, aurally and emotionally..

From making Waiting for Happiness and Timbuktu, Abderrahmane Sissako struggles to handle this story with characters that feel aimless and uninteresting to explore and a storyline that becomes convoluted.

Undeniably a well-made production as the camerawork, production designs, costumes, and musical score is really good. The performances from the cast members are solid on it's own. The issues is that the characters unfortunately are not interesting to fully engage with, crafted with poorly written dialogue, messy tone, and directions that clearly indicates that the story doesn't fully understand where it wants to focus on.

The experience of Black people in China is an interesting concept but unfortunately the movie doesn't do a good job on exploring the concepts. Alongside with some really uneven pacing that puts viewers to sleep.

Disappointing.