One of the most contentious issues in politics right now, certainly in the UK if not globally, is immigration.

Certain sections of the press are filled with stories of angry members of the community who vehemently object to foreign nationals seeking refuge in their country.

This sentiment isn’t reserved only for Brits, as this French drama about a young African in the country’s capital, observes.

Working as a food delivery courier on the streets of Paris is Souleymane (Abou Sangare). He is a young man in his early twenties, from northern Guinea in Africa, seeking asylum in France.

He’s working illegally, trying to make some money while his application is being processed, using someone else’s identity and account for work.

He’s now only two days away from his interview, which will determine if he’s allowed to stay or not. He’s being educated in the process by a fellow immigrant, who knows the process and the type of questions they will ask, and offers the answers – for a fee – to Souleymane. But will it be enough to see him be allowed to stay?

This is Boris Lojkine’s third feature, and his second examining the life of immigrants after his 2014 film Hope.

It’s title works on two levels; it’s not only the story of a young man working hard on the streets of Paris with the hope of being a citizen, but also the story he has to learn by heart, that isn’t his, but one that he’s been told the immigration department will listen to favourably.

It’s visually kinetic, with Souleymane constantly on the move, cycling his way around the capital.

The French director lucks out with a phenomenal and heartbreaking performance by the young Sangere, whose raw talent belies his inexperience in what is his acting debut. He is in virtually every shot of the film, and it doesn’t take long for an audience to be completely taken by him and his plight, as he navigates both the streets and the application process for citizenship.

What it does so superbly is give the issue of immigration a human face, a story of a young man struggling to better his life for himself and his ailing mother back home, which is nothing but admirable. It would be a concern if any individual, who after watching Souleymane’s story, still insists he should be sent home. But sadly many will, such are the times we live in.

But perhaps, just perhaps, it may give those with a certain political leaning towards immigration, food for thought, with a story that isn’t just Souleymane’s, as it’s all too familiar amongst those looking for asylum and a place to call home.