Black Tea

We grasped several ideas from the movie, but none of them were developed with enough determination to give the characters real depth or to build a compelling plot. For instance, the old man's vision of Africa as a new Silk Road is perhaps the strongest moment of the film, yet it still lacks impact and originality. Apart from a few enjoyable musical scenes set in Cape Verde, the film ultimately offers very little.

It is good movie. I don't want to say "It reflects Asian or African culture" but it is.

I have been so bored main stream movies. At these days, so many thing are done the same way, technically and emotionally. Everything is ready to consume. No need to make effort to understand characters, "behaviors" and behind their stories. No need to thing before and after. It is just 90 minutes ready to consume.

And story-wise it is ok. No need to be linear or non linear story. Actually, no need to be a story at all. Yes, I am talking about movies. I think, it can be like tea. You can drink it in three sips. Visually, aurally and emotionally..

Black Tea is a surprising product of the globalized world in which we live. The issue of African immigration to China has been known for several years, but this is the first time I have seen it portrayed in a film. And what's more, in an African film, directed by a Mauritanian filmaker and partly filmed in Cape Verde, as well as in China.

With beautiful cinematography by Aymerick Pilarski, which makes the movie worth watching, just for it, the film has a plot that oscillates between inter-racial and inter-generational romance, and the problem of racism and discrimination against Africans in China, especially by older generations.

However, no one would say that integration was difficult, when contemplating the exemplary way in which Chinese and Africans meet and collaborate, in that shopping center in Guangzhou, where much of the film unfolds.

Perhaps the essential idea, typical of the proverbial Chinese patience, is that time heals and "sweetens" everything (using the expression of one of the characters), while until then, the communities will slowly merge, as a result of the miscegenation and open-mindedness of the new generations.

A beautiful film, but a little inconsequential, thus leaving the viewer with an uncomfortable doubt.

From making Waiting for Happiness and Timbuktu, Abderrahmane Sissako struggles to handle this story with characters that feel aimless and uninteresting to explore and a storyline that becomes convoluted.

Undeniably a well-made production as the camerawork, production designs, costumes, and musical score is really good. The performances from the cast members are solid on it's own. The issues is that the characters unfortunately are not interesting to fully engage with, crafted with poorly written dialogue, messy tone, and directions that clearly indicates that the story doesn't fully understand where it wants to focus on.

The experience of Black people in China is an interesting concept but unfortunately the movie doesn't do a good job on exploring the concepts. Alongside with some really uneven pacing that puts viewers to sleep.

Disappointing.

I'm not sure why people hated this movie, I'm a filmmaker and I loved it. I like the social commentary the most. The camera work is amazing and production quality is top-notch. The story moves a little slowly in certain parts. The acting is great so it carries the slower times and keeps your attention. Towards the end you are waiting for a resolution that doesn't fully come. It still makes it more intriguing in a way. This movie also managed to be a little funny. I usually dislike movies about romance. This one had enough other things going on that I enjoyed it. To all the haters, keep watching your Marvel movies and stop hating on films that don't involve fight scenes.