SECTIONS // OFFICIAL COMPETITION FEATURE LENGTH

Les Sauteurs (Those who Jump)

Jury's Second Prize, consisting of 5,000 € and a trophy.
“We were wowed by how Moritz Siebert and Estephan Wagner make an effectively portrait of the drama of African migrants by the decision of giving the camera to one of them: Abou Bakar Sidibe. These intimate images, almost like a home movie style, is the very opposite of the dehumanized surveillance camera that monitors the border day and night and makes no distinction at all in those silhouettes, which seem only dark spots into the distance, leaving out the dreams and hopes of the humans behind those shadows.”
Moritz Siebert, Estephan Wagner, Abou Bakar Sidibe
80' / 2016 / Denmark
French/Bambara
English and spanish subtitled

Audience vote 8.75

In northern Morocco, lies the Spanish enclave of Melilla: Europe on African Land. On the mountain above, live over a thousand hopeful African migrants, watching the fence separating Morocco and Spain. Abou from Mali is one of them – the protagonist in front of the camera, as well as the person behind it. For over a year, he has ceaselessly attempted to jump the fence. At the fence, they have to overcome the razor-wire, automatic pepper spray and brutal authorities. After every failed attempt, they return to Mount Gurugú, scouring for food in the nearby villages, trying to uphold some sort of order in the camp and building up their confidence again. Some give up and return home, others never return. Through the lens, Abou gradually finds expression and meaning in his situation. "When filming I feel that I exist". But after 16 months on the mountain, Abou is close to a tragic accident. Returning to Mali is not an option for him and he becomes more determined than ever to pursue his dream of a better life in Europe.

Main Festivals & Awards

Berlinale Forum 2016: Ecumenical Prize
True False / Hong Kong Intl Film Festival - Documentary Competition / Crossing Europe

Director's Biography

Moritz Siebert - Director
Moritz Siebert has worked on migration for the last 15 years and was originally trained as a medical doctor and an anthropologist. He studied documentary filmmaking together with Estephan Wagner at the National Film and Television School in the UK.

Estephan Wagner - Director
For Estephan, Les Sauteurs is a feature debut even if he worked as a documentary director for over a decade, always approaching his themes from the point of view of his protagonists. Both as editor and director, he won several awards on the international festivals circuit.

Abou Bakar Sidibé - Co-director
​Abou, born ​in Kidal, Mali, owns a University degree in English and has worked as a teacher, a cell phones seller, a construction worker or a c​ash carrier between Western Union offices in the Moroccan village and people on Mount Gurugú​. Les Sauteurs​ is Abou's first film.