Invisible - Illegal in Europe

Andreas Voigt, Germany, 2004

Synopsis

Millions of people live illegally in Europe. Forced by circumstances, they lead a virtually invisible life. The German documentary maker Andreas Voigt decided to follow five such people for a year. Five stories of illegals, from different parts of the world, living in five European countries. Zakari, a deserted army officer, fled from Algeria, where his life is in danger.

He has been living illegally in Germany for ten years – his story was ‘not serious enough’ for a residence permit – and he still hopes one day to be able to return to a safe, democratic Algeria. Edita from Ecuador doesn’t even think about returning to her fatherland. The transsexual feels at home in Paris, where she gets a new temporary visa every three months. Malika, a Chechen, just wants a better future for her daughter. And Prince is awaiting his compulsory return to Nigeria in a Dutch cell. Oumar, finally, has just set foot on European soil – he reached the Spanish coast from Ceuta – when his dreams are shattered.

The border police are waiting for him. Without commenting or making any political analysis, INVISIBLE – ILLEGAL IN EUROPE sketches five portraits of people who keep hoping for happiness, but have to submit to their heart-rending fate.