After the Crossing

IvorianInzahascomealongway–fromtheIvoryCoastthroughLibyaandacrosstheMediterraneantoItaly.Nowhe’sstucktherewithhisgirlfriend,herchildandotherrefugeesandistryingtocrossthemountainseitherbytrainoronfoottogettoFrance,whereafriendandanotherwomanarewaitingforhim.JoëlRichmondMathieuAkafoustaysveryclosetohisprotagonist,followinghimwhereverhegoesandwhateverhedoes–organisingthingsbyphone,watchingfootball,callinghisfamilybackhome.Theabstractnatureofsuchconceptsassafethirdcountryregulations,curfewsandresidencystatushaveamirrorhelduptothemhereinconcrete,highlypersonalfashion:wewatchInzahavingtositandwaitormakeanotherattempttocross;weseetheinnerturmoilofhisdesireforafutureandhissenseofbeingtiedtothepast;thereareconversationsaboutescape,identityandquestionsofbelonging.ButTraverserdoesnotstyliseInza’sstruggle,observinghiminsteadinalifethatchafesbetweenromanticentanglements,attemptstoescapeandtherulesofEuropeanasylumlaw;alifethatneverreallyfindspeace.