Almost half a lifetime
by Rainer Hällfritzsch and Petra Sattler

Photo: © Goethe-Institut London/Nicolas Gäckle Based on footage from the first film (2002), the second portrays the experiences of three young refugees from Bosnia and the Lebanon who as minors were only given exceptional leave to remain in Germany. It tells of the shock of fleeing one’s home country, the fear of deportation and the struggle to find one’s feet in the ‘new homeland’.

Youmna runs a bridal-wear boutique with her mother. They were forced to earn enough income for the entire family, because with only exceptional leave to remain they were not permitted to claim state benefits. Youmna has given up her wish to study medicine. Her status is still uncertain after 24 years. In the film she reflects on her situation and the shortcomings of Germany refugee policy.

Jasmina describes the losses suffered by her and her family through the war and their escape via Hungary. Her grandfather was murdered in Srebrenica; her father is traumatised. For eight years the family lived in a home, sharing only 24 sq. m. Despite this she hasn’t lost her optimism, but she sees how difficult things were made for them to build up a life here, and she wishes future refugees an easier start.

Ayssar, after very difficult times, has finally achieved his youthful dream of becoming a bodyguard. After struggling for years to obtain a secure residence status, his remarks express his mixed feelings: on the one hand he says that the Germans have accepted him/’us’, on the other he still feels discriminated against.