Prelude Screening: Those Who Jump + Q&A

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with one of the filmmakers, Moritz Siebert.

In northern Morocco lies the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Thousands of hopeful African migrants attempt to jump the fence separating Morocco and Spain each year. The migrants need to overcome the razor-wire, automatic pepper spray and brutal authorities. After every failed attempt, they return to Mount Gurugú, scouring for food in the nearby villages, trying to uphold some sort of order in the camp and building up their confidence again. Some give up and return home, others never return.

Abou Bakar Sidibé from Mali is one of migrants ceaselessly trying to make a successful jump for over a year. When he is given a camera, he becomes not only the protagonist in front of the camera but the person behind it. Through the lens, Abou gradually finds expression and meaning in his situation, but after 16 months on the mountain Abou is close to a tragic accident. Returning to Mali is not an option for him and he becomes more determined than ever to pursue his dream of a better life in Europe.

Those Who Jump (Les Sauteurs), dir. Moritz Siebert, Estephan Wagner and Abou Bakar Sidibé, Denmark 2016, 80 mins.

Crossings: Stories of Migration is an ICA-led UK-wide film and events programme supported by the BFI using National Lottery funding and in partnership with the Goethe-Institut and the School of Film & Television, Falmouth University