Documenting the Journey: Challenges and Hopes in Migrant Filmmaking

“He is the reason my father sacrificed everything we had - just for him to throw it all away and come back!” Gambian migrants frequently risk their lives to reach Europe in hopes of a better life, only to be sent back home. These returnees don’t just face the disappointment of a failed journey - they often return to a cold reception from families and communities. Families often sell their personal belongings, land and even livestock, sacrificing everything to fund these dangerous journeys. BBC Africa Daily’s Muthoni Muchiri speaks to Gambian filmmaker Cherno Jagne, whose short film ‘The Backway’ dives into this emotional and often overlooked side of migration.