Written in the aftermath of Italy’s Martelli Law reforms, Immigrato tells the poignant story of North African migrants striving to find dignity and a sense of belonging in a new country. Methnani’s narrative blends diary-like reflections with social commentary, offering a vivid portrayal of what it means to be “othered” in a society still negotiating…
In this understated and deeply human film, Walter Vale, a lonely and emotionally detached professor, discovers that his seldom-used apartment in New York City is occupied by a young immigrant couple, Tarek and Zainab. Rather than reacting with anger, Walter allows them to stay, and an unexpected connection begins to form, slowly disrupting his isolated…
Melania G. Mazzucco’s I Am With You (Io sono con te) is a narrative non-fiction book that explores the profound trauma and gradual rebirth of a refugee arriving in Europe. Based on the true story of Brigitte, a nurse and mother of four who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mazzucco writes from the perspective…
Exit West is the story of Saeed and Nadia. They are two young people who fall in love. Their unnamed city is descending into a brutal civil war. When their world begins to collapse around them, they discover a series of magical doors that transport them instantly to distant locations. This novel moves away from…
The narrative is framed as a suspenseful monologue delivered in a café in Lahore. Changez is a high-achieving Pakistani man who initially embraces the American corporate dream. However, after graduating from Princeton and securing a prestigious job in New York, his sense of belonging is shattered by the events of 9/11. At that moment, he…
Set in Parigi, The Intouchables tells the unlikely story of the friendship between Philippe, a wealthy aristocrat left quadriplegic after an accident, and Driss, a young man from the suburbs with a troubled past. Hired as Philippe’s caregiver despite his lack of experience, Driss brings an unconventional, irreverent energy that disrupts the rigid structure of…
Set in 1970s Salford, East Is East portrays the life of a British-Pakistani family struggling to navigate the tensions between cultural tradition and modern Western society. At the center is George Khan, a strict father determined to preserve his Pakistani heritage, often clashing with his children, who are growing up immersed in British culture. As generational conflicts…
In this poignant documentary, filmmaker Dawood Hilmandi explores the heavy meaning of his family nickname, Paikar, a Persian term for “warrior”. While his parents wear the name with pride, for Hilmandi it symbolizes the internal and external conflicts of a life shaped by displacement. With siblings scattered across the globe due to war, the film…
Pap Khouma’s autobiographical novel I Was an Elephant Salesman (Io Venditore di Elefanti) is one of the earliest examples of migrant literature in Italy. The book recounts his experiences as a street vendor in Milan, navigating daily life in a bustling city while confronting racism and bureaucratic challenges.Khouma’s narrative combines sharp humour with self-reflection, offering…
[Eine Hand voller Sterne] Rafik Schami This novel, written in the form of a diary, captures the coming-of-age of a young boy in the old quarters of Damascus. Spanning three years, the narrative chronicles his transformation from a baker’s son into a young man with the soul of a journalist, driven by a desire to…
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