Director

Jakob Preuss

Cast list

Paul René Nkamani...himself

Credits

Written by: Jakob Preuss

Produced by: Sarah Fließbach (executive producer), Jonas Weydemann and Jacob Weydemann (producers)

Cinematography by: Juan Sarmiento G.

Synopsis

Paul is a migrant from Cameroon, who has made his way across the Sahara to the Moroccan coast. He lives in the forest, waiting for the right moment to cross the Mediterranean Sea, where he meets Jakob, a filmmaker from Berlin. Paul eventually manages to cross over to Spain on an inflatable, rubber boat. The trip is a 50 hour odyssey, where half Paul’s companions die; Paul however makes it to Spain, only to be sent to an immigration detention center once there. After Paul’s release, Jakob and Paul meet again, where the two ultimately decide to travel to Germany together to avoid economic instability, therefore demonstrating the growth of their friendship within a politically unstable world climate.

Reviews

Clara Günther, A documentary between closeness and distance: When Paul Came over the Sea Afrikaportal. (online review).

Haythem Guesmi, The Black Mediterranean and the limits of liberal solidarity. Africasacountry.com. (online review).

Mike Hale, The Film Festivals of New York: A Tasting Menu. The New York Times. (news article).

Academic Articles:

When Paul came over the Sea: Journal of an Encounter by Weydemann Bros. (2018). pgs 1-9