Harraga – Those Who Burn Their Lives - Films

Harraga – Those Who Burn Their Lives

by Benjamin Rost

Harraga – Those Who Burn Their Lives

Germany | 2023 | 86:00 min

Formal Categories

Biography / Portrait Coming of Age Human Interest Children / Youth Conflicts Human Rights Migration Social Issue

Content Categories

Documentary

Synopsis

Imad, Nourdine, Walid and Hamza live in a stone cave under a lighthouse in Melilla. Every night, the Moroccan teenagers break into the nearby port. There, they try to climb unnoticed onto ships bound for the Spanish mainland. They and dozens of other children have formed their own community under the protection of the rocks. Director Benjamin Rost documents the impressive lives of the young people over a period of five years. The film's title describes the widespread practice of illegal North African immigrants burning their papers, and thus their identities, when apprehended by police. A poignant documentary that offers a glimpse into an unknown world. [19ZFF]

Festivals/Awards

2023
19 ZFF – Zurich Film Festival
57 Hof IFF
2024
14 Human Rights Film Days Luzern
Composer Alexander Vicar nominated for GERMAN DOCUMENTARY FILM MUSIC AWARD – 39 DOK.fest Munich
20 Achtung Berlin FF
8 SWR Doku Festival
Casablanca Arab FF

Cast and Crew

Director Benjamin Rost
Producer Mark Szilagyi (MSZ Filmproduction and Consulting)
Screenwriter Benjamin Rost, Hicham Bourais
Director of Photography Jonas Schneider
Editor Erec Brehmer
Score Alexander Vicar

Original Languages

Arabic

Spanish

Links / Reference

PRODUCTION
MSZ // Production & Consulting
mark-szilagyi.com

harraga.persona.co

www.benjaminrost.org

schneider.works/harraga