Film gives new insight into youngster’s asylum victory
The film by two University of Manchester Masters students called Displaced, follows the plight of Tony Lola - who survived imprisonment in his native country - and his mother Mireille.
(Media-Newswire.com) - documentary which gives new insight into the emotive story of a nine-year-old boy saved from deportation to an uncertain future in his native Congo is being screened next week. The film by two University of Manchester Masters students called Displaced, follows the plight of Tony Lola - who survived imprisonment in his native country - and his mother Mireille.
Staff and pupils at Didsbury C of E Primary - where the football mad youngster is a pupil - organised a high profile campaign to help him.
Ella Cummins and Charli Allen followed the pair and campaigners to the doors of the Home Office, where they handed in a petition to ministers.
The filmmakers also caught on camera the pair following the news that they had finally won their battle to stay.
Their work is one of five films to be screened at The Imperial War Museum on November 23, made by students as part of their MA course in War, Culture and History at The University of Manchester.
They include ‘The Long Shadow’ by Anton Bielecki about a woman who escaped from Nazi Germany and ‘In the Garden’ by Dejan Levi about a group of refugees – forced into inactivity by Home Office rules - who built a beautiful garden while waiting for news of their status.
In ‘In War in the Time of Elections’ by Jonny Mundey, a Kenyan family recalls February’s horrific election violence and Ed Poole asks if a museum can convey the impact of war in ‘The Shape of War’.
Mireille, who openly opposed the Government of the Congo’s president Joseph Kabila, evaded threats to her life by escaping to the UK seven years ago.
Tony was later sent to join her after he was locked up by police who tried to force him to reveal the location of members of his family.
The family don’t know where Father Papy is, but fear he may have been jailed.
The Home Office believed the family's story but rejected their application, claiming they would not be persecuted by Congo police if they returned.
To the relief of everyone involved, they reversed the decision in April.
Ella Cummins said: “I think that the film provides us with a fantastic example of a community coming together, which is something that we sadly don't see very often anymore.
“We felt that asylum was one of the most contentious topics in Britain today and realised that asylum seekers are not given a voice very often. We wanted to explore what it was like to be an asylum seeker and hoped to re-address the balance by examining more than statistics and hopefully dispelling some common myths.
“ We are both thrilled that Tony and Mireille won their battle and are I hope that their story encourages others to fight as well.
“The course for me was a vital bridge between a degree in history and a career in the media. I am currently working for Radio 5 and doing as much work experience as possible on both dramas and documentaries."
Charli Allen said: “Tony is now back at school and doing really well: he’s a lovely boy and very popular.
“I’m glad we made the film because there seems to be such a culture of disbelief about asylum seekers. This hopefully, corrects some of that.
“Tony and Mireille had been through hell - but they had lots of support. Many asylum seekers don’t have that luxury and are totally alone. We feel it’s important not to forget that.”
She added: “This course has been the highlight of my career.
“It’s been a real challenge but I would love to do it again: I hope it will give me a head start in journalism which is what I want to do.”
Course Director Dr Ana Carden Coyne said: "The MA in History, War and Culture reflects the intellectual challenge of truly grasping the serious impact of war on peoples and cultures.
"Film is a powerful way to express this - and our students find the course life-changing.
“Many of the students tell me they aim to break into new media, journalism, radio and TV, civil service, higher education, and many different fields where the skills of intellect, technological imagination and human insight are prized.”
Notes for editors Ella Cummins is available for interview
Screen shots are available
The films will be shown in the Main Exhibition Space at Imperial War Museum North at 5.30pm on 23 November. Call the museum on 0161 836 4000 to attend.
For media enquiries contact: Mike Addelman Media Relations Faculty of Humanities The University of Manchester 0161 275 0790 07717 881567 michael.addelman@manchester.ac.uk
Mary and Joseph or Vita Wakati Wa Uchaguzi ( War in the Time of Elections ) by Jonny Mundey A Kenyan family recalls their experiences of the horrific election violence that ended in 1300 dead and uprooted 300,000 people from their homes. Jonny is currently completing a second film, Beatboxing Billie Jean, about the recovery of a friend living in Detroit who was brain-injured in a serious car accident, and working on a fictional short based in Manchester
The Long Shadow by Anton Bielecki The film is a journey through the memories of Wanda Bielecka and her escape from the Nazis during World War II, as told by her, her children and grandchildren. He already working on another documentary project and intends to expand upon his work with the Long Shadow.
In the Garden by Dejan Levi A group of refugees in Liverpool, forced into inactivity while waiting for news of their status build a beautiful garden. It was the first film made by Dejan Levi, who wants to continue producing short documentaries in the future.
The Shape of War by Ed Poole The Shape of War wanders through the spaces and sounds of the Imperial War Museum North, to ask 'can a museum convey the impact of war?'
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