Derrick B. Harden and Irmena Chichikova in The Black Sea (Metrograph Pictures)

“I’m going to get me a Bulgarian sugar mama.” Such is the dream of Khalid, a young and highly optimistic Brooklynite who sets off for Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast in pursuit of a wealthy older woman he met online. Unbeknownst to Khalid, Bulgarians earn less than half of what Americans make, with many Bulgarian women living in poverty on modest state pensions. But Khalid isn’t one to let facts stand in the way of his ambition. With critical thinking and skepticism not exactly being his strong suits, we follow this fish-out-of-water tale to see how he fares on unfamiliar Balkan soil.

The Black Sea is an entirely improvised drama from Crystal Moselle, whose previous film, Skate Kitchen, also drew heavily on spontaneous action. However, while Skate Kitchen was snappier and more polished, this new film leans into a looser, more laid-back vibe. Its lead actor, co-director Derrick B. Harden, occasionally struggles to keep the energy up on camera, but the film’s easygoing, live-and-let-live charm and subtle appreciation for life’s absurdities eventually win you over.

After boasting about his bright future and triumphantly quitting his job at a matcha café, Khalid lands in Bulgaria only to be greeted by a pair of unsmiling, bull-necked gangsters. The woman he came to meet has apparently died—or, worse, may never have existed. Things go from bad to worse when Khalid is robbed of his money and passport. Stuck in a small resort town where he’s the only Black man, Khalid must find work, fit in, and make a friend or two, all while stumbling through a series of comedic misadventures.

As played by Harden, Khalid comes across as a nice guy but also something of a freeloader and a pest, often oblivious to the cultural nuances of the tight-knit, conservative community he’s found himself in. Nevertheless, he muddles through, buoyed by the film’s own naïve but endearing belief that an upbeat American can somehow brighten the lives of gloomy locals with little more than a smile.

The film’s standout moments include Khalid’s interactions with Ina (Irmena Chichikova), a travel agent who begrudgingly helps the hapless visitor despite her better judgment. Tart, world-weary, but inherently kind, Ina provides a sharp contrast to Khalid’s impractical optimism. As they form an unlikely friendship and team up to revitalize a struggling café, you can’t help but root for them. The dancing and singing interludes in their makeshift community space are especially delightful, offering offhand insights into the contrasting American and Bulgarian approaches to life (and music).

Amid setbacks and cultural misunderstandings, The Black Sea gently hints at a brighter future for its spacey but well-meaning antihero. Once you settle into the film’s rhythm, its quirky goodwill transforms Khalid’s improbable journey into something surprisingly believable.