Last Updated on June 14, 2022 by themigrationnews
To reach Europe, citizens from many countries on the African continent venture into the oceans and seas. They leave for several reasons. Some leave their homeland to flee armed conflicts, climate crises, and misery. Others are fleeing persecution, and they are all looking for better skies. “Adù” is the title of this film which traces, on the one hand, the journey and the adventures of a six-year-old boy who flees his country to reach Europe and, on the other hand, the abysmal situation of one of the many people who are trying to cross the border fence between Spain and Morocco in the enclave of Melilla located on the northern coast of Morocco.
This 2020 Spanish drama film, directed by Salvador Calvo, includes contributions by Spanish and Beninese actors like Luis Tozar, Ana Castillo, Zayiddiya Dissou, Ana Wagener, Nora Navas, Àlvaro Cervante, Miquel Fernàndez, Jesùs Carroza, and Moustapha Oumanou. Most of this 119-minute feature film dealing with the issue of migration is shot in Benin (Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Adjara, Ouidah, Grand-Popo, Ganvié, etc.). The film is named after the main character.
The sets of the film reveal the landscape of the Beninese territory. From Grand-Popo to Adjohoun, via Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Ganvié, Togbin, etc., these varied sets accompanied by costumes drawn from Beninese culture give original tropical colours to the production.
Migration is often a perilous task which can cost the life of migrant. Before arriving at their destination, some migrants cross several countries. Their journey is a succession of stages, each more dangerous than the next. Adù brings to the screen the migratory realities of people from the African continent: the story of Tatou and the young Moustapha Oumanou.
Killed close to realizing his European dream
In his country, the Republic of Congo, Tatou is a political prisoner, condemned for having protested against a census organized by the government. Fleeing persecution in his country, he seeks to reach Europe. Tatou held on to his dream of living on European soil. Unable to get there according to the established procedures, Tatou intends to use various means to achieve this. He was on the verge of realizing his European dream. He arrived on the northern coast of Morocco, which constitutes Ceuta, the only land border of the EU with Africa. Tatou tries to climb the fence to reach Spain. He sees himself perhaps arriving at the goal. But his dream, along with his life, ends drastically when he is killed by one of the border police on the Spanish side.
The film shows how the rights of migrants are violated. While Spanish organizations working for the cause of migrants have taken legal action so that the border police are held accountable for their actions, justice has ruled in favor of the latter.
After the court verdict, the hierarchically superior of the border police shows himself to be unsympathetic towards the migrants. For him, African migrants must understand that the barrier installed at the border symbolizes a ban, and the Spanish territory is forbidden to Africans. If they have problems, they have to solve them at home.
Tatou dies without living his dream, like several other migrants every year.
The perilous journey of Adù
Adù, whose real name is Moustapha Oumanou, is a six-year-old boy who lives in a village in Cameroon with his sister and his mother. His father has already risked his life to cross the Strait of Gibraltar, and his family has drawn the wrath of poachers who killed an elephant belonging to him.
Like any child, Adù and his big sister Ali were happily cycling when they suddenly heard a noise from the forest’s depths. It was the poachers who were using a chainsaw to cut off an elephant’s horns after killing it. So as not to be spotted, Ali leaves the bike in the forest and returns home with her brother. As they slept peacefully, armed men broke into their homes. Armed with her courage alone, Adù’s mother decides to face the armed men who attacked her children. Before being shot down by the armed men, the mother asked her children to flee. This evening, Adù begins his migratory journey.
Adù must leave Cameroon to go to Spain. Adù and Alika, his sister, hide in the landing gear of planes to arrive in Senegal. But Alika died on the way. Arriving in Senegal, Adù meets Massar, a minor who wants to reach Europe. This friend, who turns out to be a blessing in disguise, becomes the protector for Adù. To reach Europe, these two young people crossed Africa, from Senegal to Mauritania and Morocco.
The film Adù is based on a true story. Who has never heard of migrants arriving alone in Europe? Over time, a journey has become a vast cemetery that sees a large number of young Africans perish.
According to the movie Adù, in 2018, 70 million people left their countries to find themselves in a country where living conditions are less complicated. Half of them were minors.
Note that “Adù” pocketed 4 Goya at the top of the distinctions dedicated to cinema in Spain. The feature film simultaneously received the coronations: for the best achievement, for the best male hope (for Adam Nourou), of the best production, and the best sound.
In the media (radio, television, written press), we often hear speeches, some of which are more contradictory to the migratory phenomenon. However, the migratory routes of the displaced are not always well understood by those who speak on migration. Viewing this film aids in understanding the mobile journey of migrants better, and hence, is highly recommended.
Jesula SIMON holds a master’s degree in Public Policy, and she is currently a University Diploma in Conflict Management and Resolution, Mediation, and Interculturality. She is a human rights defender, works as a journalist, and has experience in communication and media, public policy, project management, education, protection, and community mobilizing with private media, public services, and international organizations. In her work, she particularly enjoys dealing with issues related to migration, and she works at Haiti Migration Group.