Atlantics

Atlantics
Film poster
Directed byMati Diop
Written by
  • Mati Diop
  • Olivier Demangel
Produced by
  • Judith Lou Lévy
  • Eve Robin
Starring
CinematographyClaire Mathon
Edited byAël Dallier Vega
Music byFatima Al Qadiri
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 16 May 2019 (2019-05-16) (Cannes)
  • 2 August 2019 (2019-08-02) (Senegal)
  • 2 October 2019 (2019-10-02) (France)
  • 13 November 2019 (2019-11-13) (Belgium)
Running time
104 minutes
Countries
  • France
  • Senegal
  • Belgium
Languages

Atlantics (French: Atlantique) is a 2019 internationally co-produced supernatural romantic drama film directed by Mati Diop, in her feature directorial debut. It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Diop made history when the film premiered at Cannes, becoming the first Black woman to direct a film featured in competition at the festival.

The film is centered around a young woman, Ada, and her partner, Souleiman, struggling in the face of employment, class, migration, crime, family struggles, and ghosts. Working mostly with unknown actors, Diop focused in the film on issues such as the refugee crisis, remorse, loss, grief, class struggle, and taking responsibility (or not) for one's actions. The Atlantic Ocean is used in many ways throughout the film, including as a symbol and as an engine for change, growth, life, and death.