#HARRAGA - those who burn their lives


90 min, Documentary, in Post-Production






‘Harraga - those who burn their lives’ accompanies the Moroccan Teenagers Imad (15), Nourdine (17), Walid (18) and Hamza (17) who live under the lighthouse at the port of Melilla. Every night they break into the harbour to climb onto the ships leaving for the Spanish mainland. In the shadow of the port walls, they have created their own micro-society. ‘Lord of The Flies’ in reality - with its own hierarchies, chants and rules. To pass the time, they phone their mothers on video or film themselves while breaking into the harbour. We accompanied the youngsters for 5 years following their dreams, escape attempts and international escalations. From their life in the caves to their successful crossing to Spain. They call themselves: ‘Harragas’, those who burn the passports, the borders, their lives.

Director: Benjamin Rost
Co-Author: Hicham Bourais
Cinematographer: Jonas Schneider
Edit: Erec Brehmer
Production: Mark Szilágyi
Associate Production: Seloua El Gouni, Karim Debbagh

90 min, SWR / ARD, MfG Baden-Württemberg, MSZ Filmproduction and Consulting, Kasbah Films, developed in Cooperation with Masterschool 2019 at Documentary Campus

This project was supported by the scholarship program of the Free State of Bavaria ‘Young art and new paths’

Awards:

65. Dok Leipzig 2020 - Pitching Prize sponsored by Sheffield Doc / Fest