Jahia's Summer

L'été de Jahia

Director: Olivier Meys
Country: Belgium, France, Luxembourg

German Premiere
2025 | 90 min. | French
Subtitles: German
Age recommendation: ab 10

Cast_ Noura Bance, Sofia Malovatska, Céline Sallette, Audrey Kouakou, Eugénie Anselin Screenplay_ Olivier Meys, John Shank Camera_ Benoît Dervaux Producer_ Sébastien Andres, Alice Lemaire, Alexandre Perrier, Jeanne Geiben, Vincent Quénault, Sarah Marks, Willem Corten Rights_ B-Rated International

Two young women at a center for asylum seekers, caught between escape and new beginnings, anguish and hope. A powerful and empathetic drama.

Having fled from Burkina Faso, young Jahia lives in a Belgian center for asylum seekers, hoping for a positive decision from the authorities. While her mother struggles with traumatic memories of their escape, Jahia’s own fears about the future prevent her from living her life. One day, Mila, a girl her age from Belarus, arrives at the center. With her boundless optimism, Mila gradually breaks through Jahia’s outer shell, and the two become friends. But the fear of the authorities’ decision never leaves them. Suddenly, Mila’s family receive their answer. – A touching drama about flight and immigration.

Director

Director and screenwriter Olivier Meys graduated from the Institute of Broadcasting Arts in Belgium. He started out making short films and documentaries. His award-winning feature debut, ›Bitter Flowers‹ (2017), the predecessor to ›Jahia’s Summer‹, also explores the personal challenges of leaving one’s homeland.

Screenings

  • Thursday 13.11.202510:00HeidelbergHDKarlstorkino
  • Friday 14.11.202510:00MannheimMACineplex (Saal 3)
  • Saturday 15.11.202514:30MannheimMACinema Quadrat