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Those Who Jump

Those Who Jump poster

Those Who Jump

201679IMDb7.2/10

Where to Watch Those Who Jump

Those Who Jump is a thought-provoking documentary released in 2016. It serves as a dynamic amalgamation of sensitivity, resilience, and the human spirit's unstoppable pursuit of survival, liberty, and a better life. The film is directed by an artist trio, Abou Bakar Sidibe, Moritz Siebert, and Estephan Wagner. Largely documenting the earnest struggle of north African immigrants, this movie is not merely a film but an evocative representation of humanitarian crisis experienced by people on the fringes.

The documentary's backdrop is set in one of the most critical and poignant geopolitical landscapes: the borders of Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla. This enclave is one of two European borders on the African continent, fortified heavily to stifle the flow of migrants from Africa to Europe. Here, the viewers are taken on a character-driven journey led by Abou, a migrant himself from Mali, who takes up the task of documenting their everyday trials and tribulations.

Contrary to many documentaries which often look at subjects from an outsider's perspective, Those Who Jump is unique and compelling due to its authentic, personalized narrative. Sidibe, one of the directors, is the documentary's protagonist, turning from just a subject into a storyteller that provides an immersive experience unparalleled by traditional filmmaking. There's no romanticising of the situation, only a raw look at real people brushing up against hard borders.

The film unravels the grim survival tactics employed by migrants living in makeshift camps on Mount Gurugu, a hill overlooking the border fence that separates the continent of Africa from the European continent. The story exposes the audience to their infinite attempts to breach the towering fence, each failure resulting in subsequent captures, beatings, and expulsions into the desert but never dampening their undying spirit.

One of the most crucial elements of the film is Sidibe's role as a documentary videographer. Sidibe faithfully captures the essence of life on Mount Gurugu – from shared stories around nightly bonfires, soccer matches that foster camaraderie and the brotherhood of fellow migrants to the deep yearning for a world beyond the fence and the continuous efforts to scale it. He acts as the eye of the migrants, showing their shared dreams and their humanity, and records actual attempts to jump the fence. These elements are expertly focused on while simultaneously highlighting the stimulating contrast between a perilous life on the rugged mount and the calm, deceptive sea separating the two continents.

The film captures the aspiration of these individuals in a brutally honest manner. At the same time, it offers viewers vignettes of their normal lives where they eat, pray, bond, and build a sense of community, surprisingly finding moments of joy and camaraderie in the face of constant adversity. This poignant narrative not only evokes empathy but also urges viewers to question the socio-political boundaries that continue to divide humanity.

As the lens focuses on the migrants' silhouettes against the backdrop of the tall border fence, the command of the film lies in its brutality and the stoic resilience that's presented. Aesthetically shot, a particular strength of the film is how it conveys tension, frustration, and, remarkably, hope. Despite the indication of fear and danger, the migrants' relentless desire for freedom and pursuit of a better life serves as a haunting yet inspiring testament to the power of human will.

Those Who Jump offers a stark viewpoint on the trials and tribulations of these migrants, a narrative often unseen by the world. Rather than focusing solely on their struggles, the film succeeds in humanizing them, capturing their dreams, despairs and, most importantly their indomitable spirit. The echo of their heartbeat for a better life resounds throughout the film making it a deeply engaging cinematic experience.

In conclusion, Those Who Jump serves as a powerful exponent in the sphere of social cinema. It's a poignant narrative of survival, resilience, and untamed human spirit, which makes it not just an ordinary documentary, but a cinematic milestone reflecting on global migratory trends and humanitarian crisis. The movie prompts viewers to confront the reality of these desperate men and women and encourages a deep examination of the global society we live in and how it impacts individual lives at the margins. The documentary truly embodies the desperate plight of those who dare to "jump" for freedom, refusing to be mere statistic or invisible faces behind the towering fence.

201679
IMDb7.2/10
Director
Fanny Jean-Noel
Genres
Documentary