Lampedusa in Winter
Jakob Brossmann
The Italian “refugee island” of Lampedusa is in the firm grip of winter sadness. Tourists have left, the remaining refugees fight to be taken to the mainland. As a fire destroys the worn down ferry, that connects the island to Italy, mayor Giusi Nicolini and the local fishermen struggle for a new ship. The tiny community at the edge of Europe is engaged in a desperate struggle for solidarity with those who many consider the cause of the ongoing crisis: African boat people.
Image : Christian Flatzek, Serafin Spitzer
Sound : Max Liebich
Editing : Nela Märki
Sound : Max Liebich
Editing : Nela Märki
Production : Finali Film & Wortschatz Produktion
Nela Märki, Miramontefilm
www.finali.at
International sales: TASKOVSKI FILMS Ltd 19- 21 Christopher Street EC2A 2B London, UK info@taskovskifilms.com www.taskovskifilms.com
Nela Märki, Miramontefilm
www.finali.at
International sales: TASKOVSKI FILMS Ltd 19- 21 Christopher Street EC2A 2B London, UK info@taskovskifilms.com www.taskovskifilms.com
Born in Vienna in 1986, Jakob Brossmann studied Stage and Film Design at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. His work alternates between theatre, photography, fine arts and documentary film. In 2010, he directed the short film Call Back, followed by A Day's Work in 2011.
“Lampedusa is probably more influenced by the influx of refugees than any other place in the world. I wanted to know what effect that had on a society. I found out that the situation on Lampedusa isn't a breeding ground for racism and xenophobia.
On Lampedusa you can see very clearly that the danger to European life isn't in the refugees who arrive there. What scares me is the way Europe treats these people: they are turned into objects and numbers, forced through an inhuman system, deprived of their dignity. But Lampedusa also represents our treatment of all people who have been marginalised on the edges and the borders of our society. There is a lack of overall social cohesion - those at the periphery are left to themselves. That's the real source of the danger. Not the refugees.”
“Lampedusa is probably more influenced by the influx of refugees than any other place in the world. I wanted to know what effect that had on a society. I found out that the situation on Lampedusa isn't a breeding ground for racism and xenophobia.
On Lampedusa you can see very clearly that the danger to European life isn't in the refugees who arrive there. What scares me is the way Europe treats these people: they are turned into objects and numbers, forced through an inhuman system, deprived of their dignity. But Lampedusa also represents our treatment of all people who have been marginalised on the edges and the borders of our society. There is a lack of overall social cohesion - those at the periphery are left to themselves. That's the real source of the danger. Not the refugees.”