Plot
Two men make the dangerous journey from Africa to Italy for a better life, but then face hostility and violence in this shocking look at the life-and-death struggle of refugees.
Release Year: 2015
Rating: 6.9/10 (179 voted)
Critic's Score: 76/100
Director: Jonas Carpignano
Stars: Alassane Sy, Koudous Seihon, Pio Amato
Storyline
Two men make the dangerous journey from Africa to Italy for a better life, but then face hostility and violence in this shocking look at the life-and-death struggle of refugees.
Cast: Koudous Seihon -
Ayiva
Alassane Sy -
Abas
Pio Amato -
Pio
Paolo Sciarretta -
Detention Center Guard
Sinka Bourehima -
Ahmed
Francesco Papasergio -
Mommo
Pomodoro -
Soldier
Mary Elizabeth Innocence -
Mary
Mimma Papasergio -
Mimma
Annalisa Pagano -
Cristina Riso
Davide Schipilliti -
Rocco
Vincenzina Siciliano -
Marta
Aisha -
Aisha
Koffi Appiah -
Benjamin
Fallou Fall -
Adam
Country: Italy, France, USA, Germany, Qatar
Language: French, Italian, English, Arabic
Release Date: 20 November 2015
Filming Locations: Italy
Technical Specs
Runtime:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 9/10
Never has a tale of an African migrant crossing the Mediterranean sea
from Tripoli to Southern Italy been so timely. Daily reports of large
numbers making the perilous journey abound and this path of migration
into Europe and the EU is only one of the many routes being used as I
write.
This tale looks at what happens to those African migrants who survive
the journey and arrive in Italy seeking work to provide for their
families back home and establish a life in their host country. This
film is set in the present but it harks back to a riot in 2010 when the
migrants protested their treatment by the local population in Rosarno.
Rosarno is a town at the toe of the boot that is Italy on maps. This
film is the biography of real life migrant Koudous Seihon, who appears
in the film playing himself under the character name of Aviya. It is
Aviya, a new arrival from Burkina Faso, that we follow and it is his
perspective on events with which the film is concerned.
Aviya travels with his younger brother Abas from Burkina Faso to
Algeria and then across the land border into Libya before crossing the
Mediterranean. Along the way we witness Aviya being a chameleon who
adapts to his situation and makes the best efforts to get ahead
regardless of what is happening around him. He sells shoes to his
fellow migrants for the desert crossing. He negotiates his younger
brother's seat for the journey. He is a survivor.
There are lots of details during the journey that are not lingered on
but inform the attentive viewer that surviving is a feat in itself.
People are robbed and shot. People are sea sick and, when the boat's
motor ceases, people cannot swim. Those who can and make it to a
temporary sea refuge from which to hail for help are not strong enough
to hang on. Bodies, lost lives and with them hopes and needs litter the
way.
Upon arrival in Italy Aviya and Abas discover that living conditions
are somewhat worse than they left in Burkina Faso. Home is a make shift
hut with no insulation, a burner for wood and a thin quilt. There is no
running water, rats occupy the same quarters and food is as and when.
Nonetheless the migrants are not giving up; a market of sorts has
emerged in the shanty town and there are locals willing to do trade.
Work is not readily available and when it is, it is back breaking,
potentially dangerous and low paid. Aviya sets himself to cultivating
relationships with dealers, with local employers, with their families
and with his other migrants. Abas rebels, angered by the way they are
being treated. When one considers the challenges and traumas of their
journey Abas's anger and contempt are understandable.
Tensions culminate in a spontaneous riot after two migrants were shot
by police. During the riot Abas is beaten to a pulp and he seems
unlikely to survive. Aviya survives and takes stock of his situation.
Initially he wants to return home; emotional, tired and defeated he
cannot see how to survive. Then a Skype conversation with his sister
and young daughter ignites the last of his resolve and it appears he
stays. The film leaves open Aviya's ultimate decision and fate but
Koudous Seihon did stay. He was present at a Q/A conducted at the
London Film Festival and in the company of the director, Jonas
Carpignano and the actor who played Abas, Alassane Sy.
In spite of its bleak story this film is a pot-pourri of feelings:
There is anger, hatred, racism, aggression and love, desire, fun,
laughter, lots of humour and grief, sorrow and longing. The film was
made on location in Southern Italy and Rosarno. It has the support of
the residents of Rosarno and it is an important document for the
European populace. The film does not attempt any answers; it shows how
it was for one man. If migrants are not dissuaded from making the
journeys then Europe and the wider Western world needs a better policy
and response to those who survive.
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