IN THE SHOES OF AN ILLEGAL | M6 | Zone Interdite

Lampedusa… just two weeks ago… 360 African illegal immigrants are drowned barely one kilometre from the tiny Italian island. Every week increasing numbers cross the Mediterranean to reach the El Dorado of Europe. Over the last 20 years, it is believed that 20,000 migrants arriving by boat have died in similar circumstances. They are fleeing from poverty, war or despair. But, who are the men and women behind the story who come knocking on the doors of Europe? What drives them to risk their lives for prison and, sometimes, expulsion? In an exceptional documentary Zone interdite has followed two groups of illegal immigrants as far as Paris. Africans crossing deserts, taken hostage by unscrupulous people smugglers; Afghans, who have left Kabul for a 7,000-km journey in cattle trucks or on foot. For the first time, we have gone to the limits of what is possible to experience their misery and their broken dreams at every stage of their epic stories. Along with 260 illegals, we braved the Mediterranean aboard a makeshift ferry; we crossed the forbidden borders of Pakistan and Iran. We stepped into the shoes of would-be illegal immigrants. A total and an untold experience.

Authors : PAUL COMITI – OLIVIER AZPITARTE – CAMILLE COURCY – CLAIRE BILLET – OLIVIER JOBART – RENAUD FESSAGUET