THE VALLEY

Documentary by Nuno Escudeiro / 76’/ 2019 

High in the French Alps, on the border between Italy and France, migrants fleeing war, poverty and political persecution risk their lives crossing dangerous mountain routes. Witnessing the increasing influx of refugees, local communities in the Roya Valley start providing them with shelter, food and legal counselling. Since transporting and hosting undocumented migrants is a criminal offence, these good Samaritans find themselves on the wrong side of the law, sometimes even facing jail time for their acts of civil disobedience. At a time when migration issues in Europe are politicized and thrust into the media spotlight more than ever before, The Valley documents the battle between the population and the authorities, who themselves blatantly violate human rights when refusing to process asylum seekers and minors’ requests. This gripping and necessary chronicle rightfully reclaims the ethical duty of solidarity, criminalized by a perverted system.

Directed by Nuno Escudeiro
Cinematography by Nikolaus Von Schlebrügger
Produced by Andreas Pichler, Luc Martin-Gousset, Valerio B. Moser
Coproduced by MIRAMONTE FILM (IT), POINT DU JOUR (FR)
with PUBLIC SENAT, Arte G.E.I.E

Winner of EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD at HOT DOCS 2019 (Toronto - Canada)

Broadcasted on ARTE and PUBLIC SÉNAT in May 2019

Screened at UN in June 2019