Many try to tell the stories of immigrants and refugees without understanding them and the situations. The director and filmmaker of the documentary “Revenir”, Kumut Imesh, provides viewers with a unique perspective on how the journey of a person seeking refuge may actually go. “Revenir” follows Imesh as a refuge-seeker, who longed to flee from civil war within his own home country of Ivory Coast. He had left his home, family, friends, job, training, and education back on the African Continent. Ultimately, he ends up in France and obtains citizenship there.
“Revenir” is such a revolutionary film because Imesh not only directs the documentary, but he stars in the documentary. In fact, he had previously journeyed his way from Ivory Coast to France. In the film, he attempts to retrace the steps he had taken on his initial route, which was known as one of the most dangerous routes to migrate on in Africa. The most prominent places that Imesh documents include cities in Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Niger. Imesh’s primary concerns when he arrived at these places were his own safety and the best ways he could make money. He held jobs that were low-paying yet required much production/labor such as selling clothes and beauty items on the streets and fixing computers.
Typically, documentary-makers and directors observe and interview people other than themselves who have been or go through the struggles of refuge-seeking. The curiosity and desire to learn others’ stories are there for them. However, Imesh’s documentary work is a crucial film as he provides a first-hand look at what it is like to actually tap into survival mode during his journey as a refugee. We, as viewers, witness authenticity in the range of emotions displayed, the interactions that took place and even surrounding conditions that Imesh stepped into to observe. As I witnessed this more direct and personal approach to refuge, I was able to understand the weight of the obstacles that stand in front of people who flee persecution and war at home every day.
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