Africa Blanca

ACROSS THE VAST AFRICAN CONTINENT,

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE

SUFFER FROM ALBINISM.

ACCORDING TO UN DATA, SINCE 2006,

NEARLY 800 ATTACKS ON THESE VULNERABLE PEOPLE

WERE REPORTED IN 28 AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

PEOPLE WITH ALBINISM ARE OFTEN KILLED

AFTER BEING MUTILATED

AND THEIR BLOOD IS USED IN WITCHCRAFT.

EVEN AFTER DEATH, THEIR GRAVES ARE DESECRATED

TO RECOVER THEIR BODIES.

THEIR MUTILATED BODIES ARE SOLD FOR RITUALS,

EACH LIMB SELLS FOR 600 TO 2,000 EUROS,

AND A WHOLE BODY CAN FETCH 70,000 EUROS.

THE BLOOD KEEPS FLOWING...

INDIFFERENCE IS THE WORST EVIL.

AFRICA BLANCA

A FILM BY AZLARABE ALAOUI

I knew you went there.

What were you looking for?

What you did was dangerous.

You're risking your life.

What if they see you?

Dear God.

I can't bear to think they'd see you.

Mom, I was far away,

not even in the village.

What do you mean?

You were very close to the village.

Do you realize how dangerous it is?

We left the village because of those sorcerers,

to protect you from them.

When will you understand that?

My white skin.

You know if these people see you,

they could hurt you.

And I couldn't bear that.

I couldn't bear if anything happened to you.

Try to understand.

Mom, it's hot.

Sweetie, it's just warm.

It's the same as your body temperature.

Look, feel it.

Beautiful white coat.

-Aunt Aïchata. -Who's there?

Me, Mamankita.

-Hello, Aunt Aïchata. -Hello, Mamankita.

Imam Abdallah wants you

to come to the mosque right away.

The imam wants to see me? What's wrong?

-I don't know. -Is it serious?

I don't know.

Alright, I'll go now.

Sister Aïchata, I have bad news.

Do you know Issa?

He's a blacksmith from the Tonki tribe.

Three men from another tribe visited him

asking him to forge swords with monkey tails.

Sorcerers' swords.

Ousmane is like a son to me,

I don't want him to meet his father's fate.

Brother,

what do you suggest?

Issa knows the way to the albino shelter in Tanzania.

He'll take Ousmane there. He'll be safe.

But the albino shelter is like a prison, brother.

We have no choice, sister.

No, I won't leave my mother.

Impossible. No one will separate us.

There's another way. Go to France.

What?

France.

My son Amadou has lived there for 7 years.

I hear from him regularly.

He's settled

and works there. He'll help you.

Don't worry, madam,

I know someone

who can help you get to

Morocco.

Your husband was a pious man,

he has disciples in Fez.

They'll be glad to help you.

You can go on pilgrimage.

I think it's the right decision.

Are you OK?

Don't worry,

everything will be fine, God willing.

These sorcerers

hunt us in life

and in death,

but we won't let them.

You know what we'll do?

We'll hide your father's grave

so the sorcerers can never find it.

Help me pull the carpet over the grave.

That's good.

I'll adjust it here.

We'll meet again if all goes well.

If not, goodbye.

Search the house.

Listen, Mom,

if you want to stay, that's fine,

I'll go to Tanzania.

Darling, you want to live without me?

You haven't spent a single day without me since birth.

But Mom, you'll suffer because of me.

I will suffer,

but it's nothing compared to the pain

of living without you.

You're my white coat.

You know that.

Don't worry, Mom. I'll always be by your side.

Thank you, sweetheart.

-Mom. -Please,

don't hurt him.

Please, don't hurt him.

Let me have him.

Leave me alone, I've done nothing.

You killed our master!

Cursed sorcerers, stay away from them.

Mom.

Drop your weapons.

Drop your weapons now!

Cursed sorcerers.

Get out!

-Mom. -Yes?

This journey will be dangerous.

Don't worry.

Sure, the sun will burn your skin a bit,

but it'll be like a short walk for us.

It won't be just a walk.

You'll have to take risks.

Give me the binoculars.

You may run into bandits.

My friend, danger is everywhere.

Mom,

like I told you,

this journey is too risky for us.

No.

Don't you trust me?

-Yes. -Well then.

You must think carefully before taking this trip.

Don't be afraid.

Everything will be fine.

God willing.

Mother Aïchata,

you must go to Morocco on foot with this group.

What's your decision?

We have no choice.

Here's your money.

Have a safe journey, Aïchata and Ousmane.

Thank you Issa, for everything.

Let's go.

No.

Don't tell me this ghost is traveling with us.

What did he do to you?

He'll bring us bad luck.

Listen carefully,

I'm in charge of this journey. It's my responsibility,

and no one tells me what to do.

But we all know the ghost brings misfortune.

He'll curse our journey.

Ghost or not, I don't care.

I won't lose money over superstitions.

A ghost is bad luck.

Want them to stay?

Pay for their seats.

I'm not the only one who believes this.

Others do too.

Then you can all chip in.

Let's go.

Look,

they're human beings, just like you.

Look, they're young.

They're your age.

Look at that one,

he looks like the neighbor's son.

Don't you think?

Darling,

don't be afraid, I'm here.

Let's go.

Come on. Let's go.

You're making us late.

I was stupid to agree to take you.

Can't you see the sun is burning my son's skin?

I don't care about your son. Let's go.

Hello.

Who am I taking?

Everyone here.

Here's your money.

It's time to leave.

We're leaving.

Let's go.

We're leaving.

Hurry up. Help the women.

Cursed ghost, you won't come with us.

You won't come with us.

Leave me alone.

Cursed ghost.