A new documentary by Swiss filmmaker Anne-Frédérique Widmann chronicles the decade-long journey of a young Eritrean girl who arrived in Switzerland seeking freedom and independence.
The film, Freedom: The Destiny of Shewit, follows the life of Shewit, whom Widmann met in 2015 when the teenager arrived in Geneva as an unaccompanied minor after a long and difficult migration journey.
At the time, thousands of young migrants had reached Switzerland and were being housed in crowded temporary shelters. Widmann recalls first encountering Shewit among many newly arrived migrants, yet the young girl stood out because she was willing to speak openly about her experiences.
“I think we actually chose each other,” Widmann told Africanews. She explained that when she approached Shewit, the teenager’s first request was simple but powerful: she wanted the chance to go to school.
For Shewit, agreeing to share her story was initially about showing the reality faced by young girls arriving alone in a new country.
“At the beginning it was really just about talking and showing what life is like for a young girl who has just arrived in Switzerland,” she said. “It wasn’t easy. But as time passed, we realised the story could also help other people.”
The documentary, which spans ten years of Shewit’s life, captures key milestones in her personal journey from the uncertainty of her arrival in Switzerland to building an independent life.
The film is currently competing at the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, where it highlights the often unheard voices of young women in migration.
Widmann said the project was driven by a desire to shed light on a perspective frequently overlooked in discussions about migration.
“We hear very little from young girls and young women,” the director explained. “A whole part of migration becomes invisible because women often speak less publicly about their experiences.”
She noted that migration journeys can be particularly difficult for young girls, who face unique risks and challenges along the way.
According to Widmann, the film explores not only the pursuit of economic opportunity but also a deeper aspiration: the search for autonomy and self-determination.
Throughout the documentary, music composed by Coco Francavilla underscores the emotional moments of Shewit’s journey as she works toward building the life she envisioned.
A decade after arriving in Switzerland, Shewit says she has achieved many of the goals she once dreamed about.
“I have my apartment, my car, my job,” she said. “So I have the life I wanted my independence.”
While reflecting on her experience, Shewit acknowledges that leaving home is not an easy solution for many facing hardship. Speaking about fellow Eritreans who remain in difficult social conditions, she encourages them to believe in themselves and continue striving for change.
Her story, now captured on film, offers a personal perspective on migration, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom.
