Virginia Film Festival

This documentary reveals the untold stories of the thousands of migrants who were unsuccessful in making the journey from Africa to Europe. From the Sahara to Melilla, migrants recount how they narrowly escaped death, unlike many of their companions. These survivors serve as messengers, speaking for those who drowned or were killed by bullets as they crossed the Sahara on foot, were “trapped” in Morocco, or swam in the hopes of reaching safety. Alternating between interviews with the head of the Spanish Civil Guard and dense, poignant testimonies of migrants, The Messengers tells the stories of those who are no longer able to speak for themselves.

Supported by the UVA Department of French and the UVA European Studies Program