EXCLUSIVE: Egyptian and American filmmaker Sam Abbas has unveiled upcoming image Europe’s New Faces capturing the migrant expertise, from crossing the Mediterranean Sea out of Libya to settling in Paris-based squats.
The observational work is the fruit of three years of filming migrant communities residing illegally in deserted buildings throughout Paris, in addition to on the work of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) rescue ship Geo Barents, which operated throughout the Mediterranean from June 2021 till late 2024, saving 12,675 individuals in 190 operations.
“Making this movie I spent shut to 3 years with migrants in several capacities and received a glimpse right into a world so totally different from my very own that it’s arduous to totally comprehend. A world with fixed and unending challenges. A world wherein socially, the isolation is profound,” mentioned Abbas.
“Surrounded by cultural and language divides, they face stereotypes and biases that maintain them from feeling welcome, leaving many to shoulder the load of loneliness. On a regular basis duties, like renewing paperwork or looking for primary rights, flip into limitless battles with forms that by no means finish.”
The movie explores a number of points of the migrant expertise from the fixed risk of authorized motion to dealing with exploitation within the office because of lack of documentation, and the wrestle to discover a place to dwell.
“I noticed squats constituted of buildings you possibly can’t even think about – outdated deserted banks, publish workplaces, company workplaces, the listing goes on. Areas the place the one method to wash is to take a bucket and go exterior. Witnessing their resilience regardless of dealing with these virtually unimaginable hardships has made me understand how really totally different and difficult their lives are,” mentioned Abbas
At sea, Abbas witnessed rescue operations firsthand and interviewed individuals about their perilous journeys in makeshift, overcrowded vessels.
“It’s a actuality that many people by no means see, and this movie brings a deep respect for his or her power and braveness. Audiences will witness a not often seen aspect of Europe, the place the cruel struggles of migrants collide with the extreme abuse from authorities. This movie in the end paints a vivid observational image of the assorted difficulties migrants face,” mentioned the director.
The function – which is is produced by Abbas below the banner of his firm Maxxie, Suzzee & Cinema – additionally options music by French La Bête and Saint Laurent filmmaker and composer Bertrand Bonello. It’s govt produced by Randleson Floyd.
Abbas is at the moment engaged on post-production for a This autumn, 2025 launch.
The work builds on Abbas’ recently-release seven-minute, quick movie Obstaculum capturing individuals from the Ivory Coast, Gambia, Senegal, Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, and Ethiopia as they try occupy an deserted Paris artwork college.
Abbas beforehand made waves together with his 2018 LGBT-themed The Wedding ceremony, starring Nikohl Boosheri, for which he organized below the radar screenings in a lot of nations the place homosexuality is banned resembling Turkey, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Egypt.
His second function Alia’s Delivery, starring Poorna Jagannathan, additionally hit the headlines for a dramatic scene exhibiting a neonatal resuscitation. He additionally launched a complementary quick titled Marie about house beginning labor which hit over 4 million views throughout numerous platforms.
