Character Relationship Map: Black Tea

Characters

• Aya (played by Nina Mélo) — protagonist
• Cai (played by Chang Han) — protagonist
• Ying (played by Wu Ke-xi) — supporting
• Li-Ben (played by Michael Chang) — supporting
• Mei (played by Yu Pei-Jen) — supporting
• Wen (played by Huang Wei) — supporting
• Vivi (played by Isabelle Kabano) — supporting
• Trésor (played by Emery Gahuranyi) — supporting
• Toussaint (played by Franck Pycardhy) — supporting
• Douyue (played by Jacqueline Zhu) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Li-Ben → Mei (Family) — Possible family relationship
• Cai → Wen (Professional Colleague) — Professional relationship
• Cai → Mei (Family) — Possible family member or close relation
• Aya → Trésor (Family) — Brother or close family member
• Aya → Cai (Romantic Lovers) — Ivorian woman falls in love with Chinese man

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Aya → Wen (Social Acquaintance) — Connection through Cai or social circle
• Aya → Mei (Social Friend) — Friend in China
• Aya → Li-Ben (Social Acquaintance) — Connection through Cai or social circle
• Aya → Ying (Social Friend) — Potential friend or acquaintance in China
• Aya → Douyue (Social Acquaintance) — Connection in China
• Aya → Toussaint (Social Acquaintance) — Connection from Ivory Coast
• Cai → Li-Ben (Social Friend) — Chinese friend or colleague
• Cai → Ying (Social Friend) — Friend or acquaintance
• Aya → Vivi (Social Friend) — Friend from Ivory Coast or connection

Story Analysis

Cross-cultural romance between an Ivorian immigrant and a Chinese man

Plot Progression

1. Crossing Continents — Aya leaves her home in Ivory Coast and begins her journey to China, facing the challenges of starting a new life in a foreign country.
2. Unexpected Connections — Aya navigates cultural differences and forms new relationships, particularly with Cai, which develops into a romantic connection.
3. Facing Challenges — The couple confronts cultural and bureaucratic obstacles while their relationship deepens and faces external pressures.
4. Recognition and Commitment — The film gains international recognition at Berlinale, and Aya makes a life-changing decision about her future with Cai.