Senegal’s current socio-economic condition is reflected in Mati Diop’s maiden directorial venture Atlantics. The story has certain supernatural blending as well. Somewhere the oppressed souls, both socially and economically, find solace in revenge. They return and reappear as lifeless zombies in the bodies of their girlfriends. The story of Atlantics is unveiled against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean in the coastal areas of Dakar, Senegal. The Atlantic stands as a representative of the mystic forces as well as hopes and optimism. It was selected as Senegal’s official submission for ‘Best International Feature Film’ at 92nd Academy Awards.
Souleiman and his friends work at a construction site for a real estate mogul who does not clear their dues off for months. In the meanwhile, Souleiman’s lover Ada is destined to be married to Omar, who works in Italy. Souleiman and his friends decide to sail off to Spain for a brighter future, leaving their girlfriends in Dakar. The boat faces turbulent wind and waves and subsequently sinks killing all the boys in search of works. Ada gets married to Omar and all the supernatural events start occurring. The wedding bed is set on fire and the young detective, in charge of the investigation of the fire accident, falls sick. The story discloses that the spirits of the men lost at sea have returned to the town.
The zombies attack the mogul and recover the due amount. The detective makes out that the fire accident was done by him in the form of Souleiman’s spirit and closes the case. Ada realizes Souleiman’s spirit in the form of the detective and they finally embrace each other. The Atlantic Ocean always reminds the viewers about the young boys who wanted to escape the impoverished life in Senegal but did not succeed in achieving it. Their dreams remain unfulfilled, so as their girlfriends.
Mati Diop’s Atlantics captures present-day Senegal, its people, and most importantly their socio-economic conditions in the most brilliant way possible. A businessman exploits young laborers. A girl is forced to accept marriage and undergo a virginity test. Daily workers dream of a brighter future only by fleeing the country. An act of sweet revenge is plotted by a group of women in the form of their lovers’ spirit when the boys are lost in the Atlantic Ocean. Claire Mathon’s camera captures the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean at daytime, twilight, and night. Fatima Al Qadiri’s background score echoes the pathos very much evident in the film. The music and its mystic composition reflect the characters and their agonies.