Rising film star Abou Sangare has secured his future in France, but not in the way many might expect. The 23-year-old Guinean migrant, who captured hearts at the Cannes Film Festival with his debut performance, has been granted a work permit – to pursue his career as a mechanic rather than an actor.
After three unsuccessful visa applications and facing a deportation order, Sangare finally received a one-year work permit on Monday, his lawyer Claire Perinaud confirmed. The breakthrough comes months after his acclaimed performance in “L’Histoire de Souleymane” earned him the best male performance prize in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
The film, which mirrors much of Sangare’s own life experience, follows a food delivery cyclist in Paris preparing for an immigration interview. Despite his success in the role and potential future acting opportunities, Sangare has chosen to return to his original trade as a mechanic, telling Liberation newspaper, “There might be offers but I’m a mechanic, that’s my trade. I can’t wait to start working in the garage.”
Sangare’s journey to France began as a mission of love and desperation. He left Guinea as a teenager with the hope of earning enough money to fund medical treatment for his epileptic mother. His path to Europe took him across the treacherous Sahara Desert to Algeria and Libya, before crossing the Mediterranean in an inflatable boat to reach Italy, and finally, France.
In Amiens, northeastern France, Sangare built a life working under-the-table as a car mechanic while volunteering at a local education charity. His entry into acting came by chance when director Boris Lojkine discovered him at a local casting call. Despite having no previous acting experience, Sangare’s authentic presence and personal connection to the story made him the perfect choice for the role.
The film’s director expressed a deep sense of responsibility for his lead actor’s future. During the film’s French release in October, Lojkine stated that his work would only feel truly complete once Sangare secured his residency papers. This sentiment reflects the broader implications of casting undocumented migrants in roles that mirror their real-life struggles.
Sangare’s decision to pursue mechanics over acting challenges common assumptions about fame and success. Rather than leveraging his newfound recognition to pursue an entertainment career, he has chosen to return to the practical skills that sustained him during his years as an undocumented resident.
The one-year permit opens the door for Sangare to build a more stable future in France. According to his lawyer, he will be eligible to apply for renewals and eventually transition to longer-term visas, providing a pathway to permanent residency. This development marks a significant turning point in his life, transforming him from an award-winning actor living in legal limbo to a documented resident with the freedom to pursue his chosen profession.
Sangare’s story illuminates the complex realities faced by migrants in Europe, where talent and recognition don’t always translate into legal status. His journey from undocumented mechanic to celebrated actor and back to mechanic challenges conventional narratives about success and highlights the importance of practical skills and personal choice in shaping one’s path forward.
As Sangare prepares to start his new life as a documented resident and professional mechanic, his story serves as a reminder that success comes in many forms, and sometimes the most meaningful victories are the ones that allow us to choose our own path.
