'Black Tea' Disappoints Critics at Berlin Film Festival

Abderrahmane Sissako's latest film, a cross-cultural love story, fails to impress with its tepid narrative and lack of engaging characters.

'Black Tea', directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, receives negative reviews for its portrayal of a love story between a Chinese tea-shop owner and an Ivory Coast émigré.
Critics cite the film's weak narrative, thinly sketched characters, and stilted dialogue as major drawbacks.
Despite its lush cinematography, 'Black Tea' is criticized for its tone-deaf understanding of life in China and the African diaspora.
The film's attempt at addressing cross-community racial tension is seen as artificial and unconvincing.
'Black Tea' secures distribution in key markets ahead of its world premiere, despite the negative reviews.