Atlantics

| 2019

Directed by: Mati Diop

Main Plot

"Atlantics," directed by Mati Diop, is a haunting tale set in Dakar, Senegal, where a young woman named Ada is caught between love and societal expectations. Her lover, Souleiman, is a construction worker who, along with his colleagues, has not been paid for months. Desperate, they set sail for Spain in search of a better future. When their boat is lost at sea, Ada is left to face an arranged marriage to another man. As mysterious events unfold, the spirits of the lost men return, seeking justice and closure. The film weaves themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, highlighting the struggles of those left behind.

Characters

  • Mame Bineta Sane plays Ada, a young woman in Dakar torn between love and societal expectations, whose lover's mysterious disappearance drives the film's supernatural and emotional narrative.
  • Amadou Mbow plays Issa, a construction worker who dies at sea. His spirit returns to seek justice for unpaid wages, driving the supernatural elements of the story.
  • Traore is a police officer investigating the mysterious disappearances and supernatural occurrences linked to migrant workers in Dakar. His role is pivotal in uncovering the truth.

Ending Explained

In the movie "Atlantics," directed by Mati Diop, the ending reveals a poignant resolution to the intertwined fates of the characters. The film follows Ada, a young woman in Dakar, Senegal, who is in love with Souleiman, a construction worker. Souleiman and his fellow workers leave by sea, seeking better opportunities after being denied their wages. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the men have perished at sea, but their spirits return to seek justice. In the climax, Ada's arranged marriage to another man, Omar, is disrupted by mysterious fires and supernatural occurrences. These events are revealed to be the work of the spirits of the drowned men, who possess the bodies of their loved ones to confront the construction company owner and demand their due wages. Ada, possessed by Souleiman's spirit, finds closure and a sense of justice. The film concludes with Ada visiting the ocean, symbolizing her acceptance of Souleiman's fate and her own liberation from societal constraints. The ending underscores themes of love, loss, and the quest for justice, blending realism with supernatural elements to deliver a powerful narrative.

Mati Diop Drama Fantasy Mystery Mame Bineta Sane Amadou Mbow Traore