Als ein Mensch mit vielen Interessen, Ideen und Gedanken habe ich mit einem befreundeten kolumbianisch-kanadischen Studenten aus Toronto ein Filmprojekt ins Leben gerufen, um "Newcomer" und "Immigrants" in Toronto zu ihren Gefühlen, Hoffnungen und Learnings zu interviewen.  

Ohne es in 2022 als wir starteten beabsichtigt zu haben, ist es mittlerweile auch ein politisches Statement für Menschlichkeit und Toleranz in Zeiten von Rechtspopulismus geworden. 

Die Kurzversion ist eine halbe Stunde auf Utube - vielleicht auch interessant für Nicht-Kanadier:-) 

 

Hier die Synopsis:

This documentary (2022, Freebird Productions) explores the journeys of Immigrants, Newcomers & First-Generation Canadians in Toronto, & around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We ask questions:

- Where do we belong when we come to another country for good?

- How can we feel “Home”, when it has never been home to our families or ancestors before?

- What happens to our souls when we live between the worlds of our cultures, stories, and memories of the past which are hardly part of our daily lives?

Through interviews of ordinary people w/different ethnic & cultural backgrounds, we share their stories, struggles, dreams and hopes - giving them a voice, listening to their reflections on HOME, BELONGING, ROOTS and IDENTITY.

We explore if there is a “Canadian Dream”?
If the Canadian Model of the Mosaic Theory (in contrast to the American Melting Pot) works?

If the Canadian Immigration model could be a Role Model for other countries, e.g., Germany.

To search for home and belonging as an Immigrant changes who we become…We call this process: SWIMMING ROOTS.

 

Why SWIMMING ROOTS as a film matters: While deep geopolitical shifts and environmental challenges are happening everywhere in the world, we must accept the fact that migration IS the new normal. In a world, where more than 281 million people are on the move, it has become the societal challenge to every country people go to or cross. We believe that we need to be better connected and more compassionate towards each other and our stories. As Individuals. As a community. As a society. We ask questions that go beyond the obvious - making the unseen visible, the unheard hearable. In times of populism and rightwing political shifts, we hope that this film contributes to foster solidarity, cooperation, and collective thinking. We are all one.