At home: Unaccompanied minors in France, an adolescence in exile

This is the story of Aïcha, Kady, Madihawa and Moussa: four young teenagers from Mali and Côte d’Ivoire who arrived in France after crossing the Mediterranean Sea; four young teenagers who are trying to have their child status recognised by French institutions; four unaccompanied minors who should be protected and cared for by France’s child protection services but who can only rely on the solidarity of citizens and charities like Médecins Sans Frontières and Utopia 56.
 
Their day-to-day lives in France and the stories, told in the mini-series "At Home", reveal the institutional violence of the French state against children whose rights are trampled underfoot. In four episodes, this series attempts to relate an adolescence in exile, interspersed with childhood dreams, solitude, determination, violence and hope.
 
Produced by Médecins Sans Frontières
Written and directed by Agnes Varraine-Leca
Filmed and edited by Manon Tarasconi
Sound design: Adrien Vicherat
Translation: Mandy Duret
Post production: Loic Adrien
 

Episode 1: Kady

Kady, from Côte d’Ivoire, arrived in France after crossing the Mediterranean Sea to escape an arranged marriage at 15.

Episode 2: Moussa

Moussa, from Côte d’Ivoire, is trying to find his sense of place in Paris.

Episode 3: Aïcha

Aïcha left Cote d'Ivoire to work in Mali and was then abducted to Morocco. From there she managed to cross the Mediterranean and arrived in France.

Episode 4: Madihawa

Madihawa, from Mali, dreams of becoming a basketball star.