Black Tea

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1:36

Black Tea

Released May 9

1h 51m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

After saying no on her wedding day, Aya leaves the Ivory Coast for a new life in the buzzing "Chocolate City" in Guangzhou, China. In this district where the African diaspora meets the Chinese culture, she gets hired in a tea boutique owned by Cai, a Chinese man. In the secrecy of the back shop, Cai decides to initiate Aya to the tea ceremony. Through the teaching of this ancient art, their relationship slowly turns into tender love. But for their burgeoning passion to lean on trust, they must let go of their burdens and face their past.

Dwight Brown

DwightBrownInk.com

Even master auteurs have an off day. A premise that doesn’t pan out. A vision others can’t see. But somehow film buffs find some kind of gold in whatever they do.

Rated: 2/4

May 22, 2025

Full Review

Robert Daniels

RogerEbert.com

There are few sights more shocking than a talented veteran filmmaker totally whiffing: That rare surprise occurred with director Abderrahmane Sissako’s jumbled and misjudged romance “Black Tea.”

Feb 24, 2024

Full Review

Rachel Pronger

IndieWire

For all its comforting warmth, Sissako’s film ultimately lacks the deeper complexity of its namesake, even if watching it is often as soothing as sipping a freshly brewed cup.

Rated: B-

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Padaí Ó Maolchalann

In Review Online

Turn to Black Tea for distraction, comfort, or answers of any kind, and be left wanting. There are no answers here, only the disappointing question of how a filmmaker as accomplished as Abderrahmane Sissako made a film as bad as this.

Jun 6, 2025

Full Review

Nairon Santos de Morais

Loud and Clear Reviews

Abderrahmane Sissako shows he knows what he’s doing with this Wong Kar-Wai pastiche and creates a beautiful aesthetic exercise that envelops you in its warm images.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 13, 2025

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Boston Movie News

At its best, it is a story about (heteronormative) love and seamless belonging where differences only enhance life, not divide it. At its worst, dangerous behavior is like a wolf in Benetton clothing

May 12, 2025

Full Review

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Abderrahmane Sissako

Director

Nina Melo

Aya

Han Chang

Cai

Wu Ke-Xi

Ying

Michael Chang

Li-Ben

Isabelle Kabano

Actor

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Black Tea: Trailer 1

1:36

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Synopsis

After saying no on her wedding day, Aya leaves the Ivory Coast for a new life in the buzzing "Chocolate City" in Guangzhou, China. In this district where the African diaspora meets the Chinese culture, she gets hired in a tea boutique owned by Cai, a Chinese man. In the secrecy of the back shop, Cai decides to initiate Aya to the tea ceremony. Through the teaching of this ancient art, their relationship slowly turns into tender love. But for their burgeoning passion to lean on trust, they must let go of their burdens and face their past.

Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
Screenwriter: Abderrahmane Sissako, Kessen Tall
Distributor: Cohen Media Group
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 2025, Limited
Release Date (DVD): Jul 15, 2025
Runtime: 1h 51m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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