To mark the International Weeks against Racism, the City of Salzgitter's Youth and Democracy Education team invited secondary schools in grades 9 to 12 to the Kultiplex in Lebenstedt last Tuesday. The documentary "We are here now" was shown. This was followed by a film discussion with two of the film's protagonists, Najib Faizi and Azim Fakhri, and the director Niklas von Wurmb-Seibel. Around 300 pupils from Gymnasium am Fredenberg, Hauptschule Fredenberg, Emil-Langen-Realschule and IGS attended the screening.
The film tells the stories of seven young men who fled to Germany. They talk about their flight, arriving in a new society, about insecurities and fears, but also about hope and solidarity. The film thus provides an impressive and very personal look at life paths that are often only discussed in abstract terms.
The subsequent discussion was particularly impressive for many of the participants. The pupils took the opportunity to put their questions directly to the guests and engage in conversation with them. Very personal and fundamental questions were asked, such as why racism exists. Azim Fakhri replied that education plays a decisive role. The director added to this idea and emphasized that a certain form of education is particularly important: "education of the heart". This is not only created in the classroom, but above all through encounters, personal experiences and direct exchanges with one another.
The young people were also concerned with the question of why this film was made in the first place. The director explained that the film was made because people with a history of flight are often only talked about in a one-sided - mostly negative - way. The film, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to get to know seven people with these experiences, beyond prejudices and simplified representations.
"The visit to the cinema and the film discussion made it clear how important it is to meet, listen and talk about belonging and being a stranger in order to break down prejudices," emphasized Alexandra Leszczynski, project manager in the youth and democracy education team.
With this event, the city of Salzgitter sent out a visible and important signal for democracy, diversity and respectful coexistence on the occasion of the International Week against Racism.
The film has already been shown over 100 times in Germany and has sparked similar dialogs in many places.
Information:
Teachers who are interested in also offering the film with an accompanying discussion at their school can contact the Youth and Democracy Education Team of the Municipal Children and Youth Development Department in the Children, Youth and Family Department of the City of Salzgitterjugendunddemokratiebildungstadt.salzgitterde. The contact person is Alexandra Leszczynski.
