BURNING THE STRAIGHT
QUEMANDO EL ESTRECHO

Every year thousands of illegal migrants arrive on the coast of Spain, on basic boats (pateras and zodiacs), mainly from Morocco, they are known as HARRAGA.
Burning the Strait looks in-depth at this migration epidemic, and discovers a world of disenfranchised youth, some as young as 10, and the social consequences including glue-sniffers, cheap drugs and the mafia behind the Harraga. Beneath the tourist veneer of cities like Granada coexists an underclass of young immigrants, mostly Moroccan, many addicted to industrial glue as a way to escape from this ideal society that they always wished to be part of.
In 2007 alone, more than 18,000 illegal migrants arrived in Spain via the coast alone, almost 1,000 died on the journey. 12,000 were arrested in Morocco trying to cross illegally. Figures for those who died attempting to cross the Sahara Desert are unknown. In 2007 more than 55,000 illegal people were deported from Spain.

Marrocco, Spain. 50 minutes. 2008. (18+)
Directors: Eva P. Fernández & Mario de la Torre

Screens with Short
EL PAN NUESTRO
EL PAN NUESTRO

Andrés and Elena have just arrived in Quito. Elena, very frightened, breaks down.

Spain. 19 minutes. 2007
Director: Aitor Merino
With: Cuca Escribano, Antonio Gil.