For a Better Life 2018
Distributed by Good Docs
Produced by Yasmin Mistry and Kimberly Dipersia
Directed by Yasmin Mistry
Streaming, 9 mins
College - General Adult
Child Abuse; Human Trafficking; Mental Health; Poverty; Violence
Date Entered: 03/14/2024
Reviewed by Giovanna Colosi, Librarian for the School of Education, Subject Instruction Lead, Syracuse UniversityIn this short nine-minute narrated and animated documentary we follow Fekri’s story from when he was a small child in Africa to his adulthood in the United States. Fekri's traumatic journey unfolds after being traded for $100 to a French tourist who moves him to France. We listen and watch him endure years of torment, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of this woman, his agonizing plight remains hidden until he is abused so badly, he is hospitalized for months.
Following an intense year of recovery in the hospital, Fekri is then placed in a string of foster homes, but is not able to remain, since he acts out violently towards the other children, perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Fekri then is placed in a group home, where he seeks comfort, and he discovers an unexpected lifeline of support, mentorship, and even forgiveness towards the very family that sold him. Forgiving his mother especially, since she thought she was truly sending Fekri off to a better life.
One of his coping mechanisms is to write down his feelings and thoughts into slam poetry, which we hear a bit of in the film.
This emotionally charged narrative explores the depths of human endurance and the transformative power of compassion, weaving a compelling story that resonates long after the credits roll. At times, even though it was animated, the scenes of abuse were tough to watch.
This story is one of resilience and redemption, but trigger warnings may be advised, including violence, discussion of suicide and child physical and sexual abuse. This film would work well for in-class viewings in courses such as social work, psychology, sociology and children’s studies or for any courses designed to discuss child abuse, recovery, and social services that support victims of abuse.
Awards: Rochester International Film Festival, 2019 Winner Festival Trophy; Lighthouse International Film Festival, 2019 Winner Jury Award; Best Documentary Short, Queens World Film Festival; 2019 Winner Jury Award, Best Director - Documentary Short
Published and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Anyone can use these reviews, so long as they comply with the terms of the license.