Hope par Boris Lojkine (review)

Reviews 251 Lojkine, Boris, réal. Hope. Int. Endurance Newton, Justin Wang, Nabyl Fally Koivogui. Zadig, 2015. After two successful documentaries set in Vietnam, Lojkine returned to directing his first feature film, a road movie on illegal immigration from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. The film traces the path of Hope, a young Nigerian girl, who joins thousands of other illegal immigrants seeking to reach Europe. Faithful to his documentary filming style, Lojkine relies on illegal immigrants, none of whom is a professional actor, to make his film. Most illegal immigrant from sub-Saharan Africa follow the same path: after walking for weeks, they eventually reach Algeria and then Northern Morocco hoping to cross to what they think is the European Eldorado. In Hope, Lojkine humanizes a group that is often fearfully regarded as a faceless horde by focusing in on individual experiences. The film reveals an underground ghettoized world that is known only to those who experience it. The focus on a female as the leading character is very significant, first because females do not get as much attention in the media, and second because their experiences are worse than that of their male counterparts. Lojkine embodies these women’s experiences through Hope.As her story unfolds, we see how badly she is treated not only by nationals of the countries she passes through, but also by other illegal immigrants. From the beginning of the film, Hope is looked upon as a sex object, an easy way to make money. Even her protector and “lover” Léonard, the only character who cares for her, exploits her as a prostitute. She ends up sacrificing her body to reach her aim.As Lojkine puts it:“Is it a love story? Yes, it is, but it is not a story based on love at first sight nor passion. It wouldn’t make any sense to force a romantic scheme of a world that does not exist.” Lojkine tells his characters’ stories primarily through close-ups and hand-held camera movements to create tension and engage viewers. Though the world Lojkine depicts for us is gloomy and merciless there are moments where humanity and compassion take over. These moments are for the most part ones shared between Léonard and Hope. Regardless of their status as illegal immigrants, the characters embody human struggle and survival. In depicting these experiences, Lojkine is not seeking for a resolution, but is aiming to make their stories known to the world and raise alarms about the human trafficking they are subject to. Hope, as its title suggests, insists that life with all its hardships is worth living and that dreaming of a better world is still a possibility. This is a film worth watching not only because of its subject matter, but also because of the details the camera brings before our eyes. Hope goes beyond merely seeking viewers’sympathy to questioning the difficulties these immigrants face as they seek a “better life.” Bloomsburg University (PA) Yahya Laayouni ...