In Marseille, France, Aminata works as a hairdresser and Badara as a mechanic. When they meet, their love will change their lives. From director Terence Nance (“An Oversimplification of Her Beauty”) "Univitellin" is a brilliant deconstruction of a doomed love story, satirical in its presentation of cliches but also legitimately touching in its sincere performances and warmth.
From across a bus, they spot each other and fall in love. They begin to spend their days together. They speak passionately about movies and music. They stroll through the picturesque French city. But before long, they must reckon with family pressures (Aminata’s mother has arranged another relationship for her) and differences in personality and background. We’re walked through it with an omniscient voice-over who begins to grow weary of the tropes she’s forced to narrate.
With a light but self-assured touch, Nance offers both critique and new blood. Lovely performances by Aminata M'Bathie and Badara N'Gom ground the film with naturalism and chemistry. Striking images by Shawn Peters capture Marseille in wonderful compositions and editing by Théo Lichtenberger keeps it flowing with just the right mix of style and restraint. (15 minutes). A film by Terence Nance. Interpreted by Aminata M'Bathie, Naky Sy Savané, Badara N'Gom & Mama Faso. Music: Akua Naru, Dany Levital. Photography director: Shawn Peters.
