As pic opens in an unnamed Spanish port, illegal immigrants and long-term buddies, Otho (Djedje Apali) and Shad (Fraser James) are trying to make enough money to survive and send to loved ones back in the Ivory Coast. Shad is engaged to Otho's sister Pelagie (Tella Kpomahou) who waits back home in Abidjan. Otho is conflicted about some of his fund-raising activities and has ambitions to be an upstanding citizen. Shad however is a natural born scammer.

After Spanish police raid a dockside party, Otho is deported, putting the kibosh on his dream to return to the Ivory Coast as his family's financial savior and conquering hero.

On the lam in England, Shad hooks up with a French, bisexual free spirit named Tango (Marie-Josee Cruze). Tango convinces Shad to flee to Paris, where she hopes a marriage of convenience will put an end to the African's illegal-immigrant woes. Upon arrival, Tango almost instantly picks up Olga (Sara Martins), another gay lover. While amour moves quickly, Tango discovers the French government has set many traps for sham marriages.

Courtesy of Tango, Shad scores a job with local hustler Bruno (Malik Zidi) who has been carrying the torch for Tango since childhood. Circumstances are less than ideal, but Shad at least is able to earn money to send to Pelagie. Unfortunately, back in the Ivory Coast, Otho, is pocketing the funds as they arrive leaving Pelagie to think her beau has forgotten her.

Thesps are all excellent, with Apali standing out dramatically as the culturally proud though often hypocritical Otho. Fraser James delivers a warm performance as the less scrupulous, but more successful Shad. James' turn is all the more amazing, as the Blighty-based thesp is unable to speak French, and learned his dialogue phonetically. Yarn is convoluted at times, phony at others, but overall, helmer-scripter de Latour keeps a steady hand on the myriad strands and creates a world of biting authenticity.

Astute cutting and a feverishly restless camera maintains the intended momentum. Boldly, the helmer also makes maximum use of close-ups to build a genuine intimacy with the characters. Soundtrack is a vibrant potpourri of African music from the traditional to the modern that is as lively as the film's personalities. Other tech credits are pro.

Camera (color, widescreen), Renaud Chassaing; editor, Nelly Quettier; music, Tiken Jah Fakoly; production designer, Daniel Bevan; costume designers, Mai Felicite, Pascale Paoli, Souleyman Guindo; sound, (Dolby Digital) Jerome Thiault. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival Film Festival (Panorama), Feb. 15, 2006. Running time: 112 MIN.
(French, English dialogue)