Abderrahmane Sissako's upcoming film, 'Black Tea,' has generated significant buzz ahead of its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The romantic drama, set in China, has already been acquired by major distributors in key territories.
The film, co-produced by Gaumont, has secured deals with distributors in Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Portugal, CIS, Hungary, Norway, Denmark, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Brazil, Taiwan, Indonesia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Maghreb, and Israel. Cohen Media Group will handle distribution in the U.S.
'Black Tea' serves as Sissako's follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2015 film, 'Timbuktu.' The story follows Aya, a woman who leaves her wedding in the Ivory Coast and embarks on a new life in Guangzhou, China. There, she finds employment at a tea boutique owned by Cai, a Chinese man. As Cai introduces Aya to the art of the tea ceremony, their relationship blossoms into love.
The film stars Nina Mélo, Chang Han, and Wu Ke-Xi and is described by Gaumont as a 'timeless, universal love story' set against the backdrop of China, the Ivory Coast, and Cape Verde. The narrative offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between Chinese and African cultures.
'Black Tea' is a sensory journey that explores the connections between two contrasting characters and the cultural intersections they navigate. The film's production involved Cinefrance Studios, Archipel 35, and Dune Vision, with Sissako handling the screenplay.
Sissako drew inspiration for the film from a real-life Afro-Chinese couple running a restaurant in Guangzhou. The city's vibrant atmosphere, often referred to as 'Chocolate City,' provided the perfect backdrop for the evolving romance between Aya and Cai.
