Dexterously interweaving the trappings of a policier with folklore deeply rooted in its Senegalese setting, this chilling story from Mati Diop is the first film by a Black woman to screen in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival and, consequently, the very first female-directed African film to win the prestigious Grand Prix. It may be a self-styled “ghost love story,” but the prevailing tone of this heart-rending debut is one of unvarnished reality.

Betrothed to a much older and far wealthier man, the 17-year-old Ada (Mama Sané) visits with her actual true love, Souleiman (Ibrahima Traoré), on the eve of her wedding. This is the last time she will see him in human form. In a day’s time, Souleiman will set sail for European shores with his co-workers, only to tragically die midway and return as a vengeful spirit who will stop at nothing to collect his due.

Before becoming a director, Diop was an actress best known for her unforgettable turn in Claire Denis’ 35 Shots of Rum. It would be one thing if this ambitious talent had crafted a film understandably indebted to her mentor, but Atlantics, which so perfectly fuses the recognizable and unrecognizable, the all-too-real and mysteriously supernatural, is the kind of personal work that could only emerge from the deepest recesses of a haunted soul.

“This shape-shifting Senegalese drama is pure cinematic poetry. Slipping in and out of modes with a magician’s confidence, Atlantics is mysterious and mythic, with a wizardly use of sound and some unforgettable images.” – Tim Robey, Telegraph