In this uneven but still engaging documentary-style drama by director
François Reichenbach, a young African boxer makes his way to Paris to try his hand at surviving and maybe even succeeding in a boxing career. The camera deftly captures his moods and his encounters with a wide variety of Parisians as he rents a room, meets an interesting young woman, consults a fortune teller, and most of all, starts his training that will lead up to his first important fight. Basic humanity and insight into a black man's attempt to find stature in a white-dominated world nuance the story with depth and feeling. This film was awarded the Prix Louis-Delluc in 1961. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide