Jahia’s Summer - Schools Screening
L’été de Jahia
Jahia, a teenager from Burkina Faso, lives in a centre for asylum seekers in Belgium. With no prospects, Jahia has a fear of the future that isolates her and prevents her from living. One day, she meets Mila, a young Belarusian girl, who drags her along in her crazy energy. It’s the beginning of summer, and of a friendship that will change her life.
Through the sensitive portrayal of two teenage girls from very different countries, Jahia’s Summer brings us close to the stressful experience of waiting to be granted asylum. It’s an emotional story about friendship and the way friendships can change our life paths. With incredible performances from the two young, first-time actresses who have experienced issues similar to those explored in the film, Jahia’s Summer creates a bond of humanity with us viewers.
Advisory
Jahia’s mother experiencing mental health problems due to trauma after fleeing their homeland. Mila finds herself in a sleeping coma (Resignation Syndrome triggered by unsuccessful asylum application).
CfE: Third / Fourth Level
Curricular subjects: Modern Foreign Languages (French), Social Studies
Themes: Family and friendship, food culture and heritage, asylum seeking process, trauma
UNCRC – Article 22: If I am a refugee, I have a right to help, protection, and the same rights as children born in this country.
UNCRC – Article 27: I have the right to have a proper home, food and clothing
L'été de Jahia depicts the life of two teenagers going through the struggles and uncertainty of whether they will be granted asylum. It is a crucial film for young people for them to develop empathy towards such situations and open their eyes towards how different a teenager's life can be when you find yourself in these circumstances.Germain Julien
