In august 1999, the western world was shocked and moved by a letter written by two young boys from Guinea. They appealed to the European authorities to provide them with a better life, away from the poverty and lack of education in their home country. Unfortunately, the letter was written in vain, because they died on their journey to Europe, hidden in the wheel bay of an airplane.
The documentary film 'The Art of Becoming' opens with the text of this letter, read out aloud while we see close-up images of luggage being unloaded from an airplane. It's the symbolic prologue for the story of three young boys who, just like the writers of the letter, fled their country hoping for a better life in Europe.
They may have survived their voyage, but still face huge obstacles. Mamadou (18) from Guinea has finished his education and works in the construction business, but still faces expulsion from Belgium. Fattah (16) from Afghanistan hasn't even made it to Europe, he works in a textiles sweatshop in Istanbul, waiting for a chance to go to Athens. And Saleh (11) hopes to get asylum in Belgium, so he can be joined by his family members who are still living in war-torn Syria.
The film shows the daily lives of the three boys. We see them going to school or work, eating, playing football, watching television, talking with friends. These activities wouldn't be of any interest if the boys would lead normal lives, which they don't. Their fate of being a refugee hangs over everything they do. The film makes this clear by showing them talking on the phone to relatives back home, or speaking with social helpers explaining the procedure.
Directors Catherine Vuylsteke and Hanne Phlypo let the facts tell the story. The only thing the camera shows is the lives of the three boys. It's a daring approach, but it works. During the film, you really get to know the boys, with their individual characteristics. Sometimes it's amazing how close the camera gets, without in any way seeming to intrude. At one point, we witness a party for Saleh's 12th birthday, but instead of being happy he starts crying, because suddenly he realizes his parents are not there to celebrate with him. It's moments like these that make this documentary so wonderful: it shows how it is being a minor in a strange country, dreaming about a better future. These images show the reality behind the news stories. They show what no figure, report or expert can ever make clear: the emotional impact of having to leave your own country at a young age. For that reason, this documentary is definitely worth watching.