Swiss filmmaker Anne-Frédérique Widmann has spent ten years documenting the life of Shewit, a young Eritrean girl who arrived in Geneva at the age of 15 seeking freedom and a life of her own making. The resulting documentary, Freedom: The Destiny of Shewit, is now in competition at the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, shedding light on the rarely heard voices of young girls in exile.
Widmann recalls the moment she met Shewit in 2015, during a period when Geneva was receiving a large influx of unaccompanied minors. “I saw Shewit. She was the only young girl who agreed to speak, and the first thing she said to me was: ‘I want to go to school,’” Widmann told Africanews.
For Shewit, speaking out was the first step in sharing the realities of her journey. “At the beginning it was really just, okay, I want to talk, to show what life is like for a young girl who has just arrived in Switzerland,” she said. Over time, both filmmaker and subject realized the story could resonate more broadly, offering insight into the struggles and resilience of young migrant girls.
Widmann emphasized the importance of highlighting these perspectives: “We hear very, very little from young girls and young women. I realized that a whole part of migration was being made invisible… young girls in particular face extreme challenges. For them, it’s not only about having a better life; it’s a quest for freedom taking control of one’s life, making choices, gaining autonomy.”
The documentary traces Shewit’s milestones over a decade, with the emotive soundtrack of Coco Francavilla accompanying her story. Today, Shewit has achieved the independence she long sought: “I have my apartment, my car, my job. So I have the life I wanted my independence.”
Shewit also reflects on the difficult realities faced by her compatriots who remain in Eritrea. She encourages them to persevere and maintain hope, reminding them to resist societal pressures and continue striving for self-determination.
Freedom: The Destiny of Shewit stands as a testament to the resilience and agency of young women navigating the challenges of migration and the pursuit of autonomy.
