Yaaya At: The Film Africa Festival 2013 | Atlantiques

There was a noticeable buzz inside Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, as we waited for the screening of Atlantiques and La Pirogue. No doubt the Yaaya team was riled up to see both films, not least because it quenched our love for the arts, Africa and the African Diaspora, but because the Film Africa Festival had succeeded in putting together an exciting and diverse exhibition of films and documentaries from across Africa.

These films encompassed brilliant works of cinematography from Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa, displayed the cultural and linguistic diversity of the continent, whilst at the same time explored the intersectionality of Europe and Africa in the context of migrant experiences and aspirations.

It was the exploration of the experience of African migrants, and their imagining of Europe as an economic haven where choice and dreams can be realized, that instinctively prompted us to watch both films. Yaaya, being an organization that in addition to providing a platform for black women in Europe to share stories of success and ambition, also endeavors to start conversations in relation to the black experience in Europe. Atlantiques and La Pirogue therefore provided us with an opportunity to see both a documentary and dramatization of pertinent issues that concern us.

As we took our seats, tweeted, found the time to take pictures and completed bureaucratic paperwork, we were welcomed by the facilitator for the night, and pleasantly received a talk from the Head of the IOM (International Organisation for Migration) in the UK, where she put into context the current reality of the dangers many African migrants face when crossing the Atlantic to enter Europe. As the lights dimmed, and the movie theater quieted, we experienced two powerful pieces of work, which forced us to ponder the extent to which an individual’s life can become so difficult that risking death becomes a viable option, and question how Europe can effectively manage a natural human occurrence.

Atlantiques

Atlantiques is a short documentary which explores the motivations of a young Senegalese man named Serigne, who wants to leave Senegal on a pirogue (Senegalese fishing boat) en route to Spain for the second time. The documentary opens with a recording of a man describing his experience of boarding a pirogue, and he gives a harrowing account of his near death experiences on the Atlantic. The recording sets the tone for the rest of the documentary, as the audience watches and listens to a series of conversations in Wolof between Serigne and Alpha, two young men who have different views about risking one’s life to enter Spain. Serigne states that “he has nothing but dust in his pockets,” and reveals his frustration of not being able to provide for his family who experience hunger because of a lack of money.

Serigne’s frustrations mirrors that of many young Senegalese men, in a country with an unemployment rate of 48% as of 2007[1], which has consequently forced many young men to leave villages, towns and cities in search of brighter futures abroad. We see Serigne rationalize his decision to cross the Atlantic a second time, with justifications such as “If I die its God’s will,” an illustration of how fear, risk and hope co-exist in the minds of would be migrants. Alpha on the other hand doesn’t view the risk as worthwhile, and tries to discourage Serigne from boarding a pirogue again. There are however points of agreement between the two young men. Alpha is equally aware of why Spain is an attractive place for his friend, and listens intently as Serigne reveals the psychological impact that his first trip has had on him, and how he has experienced things “he cannot speak of.” The two men also ponder on what action they would take in difficult scenarios on a pirogue, such as if a friend happens to go overboard. Serigne argues he will try and help his friend even if it means risking his own life, illustrating how friendship and support is an important part of surviving the voyage, but also how men are bought into one another’s hopes, dreams and desires.

After the series of conversations between Serigne and Alpha, we soon learn that Serigne died on his second attempt to cross the Atlantic, and in turn that he did not heed the advice of his friend. We see the impact Serigne’s death has on Alpha and his family. As an audience we also feel his loss. This is because we have been privy to his intimate thoughts and feelings with his friends, and have sympathised with his frustrations. Serigne is now a statistic with a human face, part of a group of over 300,000 hopeful West Africans who have perished trying to cross the Atlantic.

A memorable part of the documentary is when the camera focuses in on who we presume to be Serigne’s sister for a long period of time who is visibly upset. The setting is inferred to be Serigne’s family home, and we get the sense that his family is mourning his death. This scene reinforces the impact of the death of young men on families, and forces us to question how many families have lost multiple sons, grandsons, husbands and nephews on this treacherous voyage.

Source | [1] “The World Factbook, Unemployment Rate". Image courtesy of Film Festival Rotterdam. Video courtesy of Film Africa IDENT from Film Africa on Vimeo.