SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2024 REVIEW! The brainchild of Stéphane Grasso, Migrant Sea is an online multimedia project. It seeks to highlight the people, places, and situations relevant to African Migrants when they cross the Mediterranean less than legally to Italy. This is the first of three shorts offered in this project.
Migrant Sea: Jenni tells the tale of how Jenni Traoré first arrived in Italy, what he did to survive, and ultimately, what became of him. That he is relating his story to us is a clue that there will be a positive resolution to this particular installment. I found this brief documentary to be very candid and earnest. The subject clearly understands his place in the world and how lucky he is to have thrived in France.

“…the tale of how Jenni first arrived in Italy…”
For all the horror tales in the news concerning migrants, this one is hopeful. It provides us with a full picture of one young man. As an instructor at Medgar Evers College back in the day, I had many such students like Traoré in my classes. His sense of humor and his joy are definitely tools that have helped him overcome adversity and become strongly self-reliant. I encourage anyone who wishes to learn more to visit the project’s official site.
Migrant Sea: Jenni is a very brave project. Grasso and his collaborators are to be commended for shining a light on such human stories.
Migrant Sea: Jenni screened at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival.