Mauritian Londoner gives us a glimpse of the pros and cons of living in London as a student and expatriate. It illustrates some of the problems many students face because of the lack of finance, and because their colleges/universities are not really providing adequate education. In the end, many students stop going to classes and have to do petty jobs in order to support themselves. Very often, the result is that UK immigration authorities find them and they are deported back to Mauritius. Many Mauritians already living in the UK sometimes use their friends/families, who have just arrived, to their own advantages. The sense of patriotism and the desire to help fellow islanders is something not all Mauritians share when they are in the UK. During the shooting, we were told by different contributors than many Mauritian girls studying in London, were gradually falling into prostitution, as they had no other means for supporting themselves. Many Mauritians who are deported find it hard to re-integrate Mauritian society because they feel embarrassed and unaccomplished.The issue is alarming, but because we are a small country, our issues are seldom heard. Even in Mauritius, it’s only now that the press is raising some concern in the situation, while this has been happening for decades. This problem does not only affect Mauritians in London, but also those in other parts of England, Scotland, Ireland and even other European countries. This is only a pilot documentary that shows possibilities to investigate this socio-political problem in more depth.We would like to take this to the next stage and create a proper documentary film that will grab the attention of the government, media, institutions, NGOs and other watchdogs, both in the UK and in Mauritius. We think this also has the potential to be an international documentary because the situation that many Mauritians face is the same as what students from other underdeveloped and developing countries face. Please e-mail Shaan if you want to share any thoughts privately or if you would like to contribute or collaborate on this documentary project. This entry is also published at:ThisIsMauritius
Mauritian Londoner – Pilot Documentary Film
Published December 8, 2006 Documentary Film , Immigration , London , Mauritians , Mauritius 18 CommentsTags: Diffculty, Hard life, Immigration, London, Maurice, Mauricien, Mauritian, Mauritius, Students, UK, Visa
18 Responses to “Mauritian Londoner – Pilot Documentary Film”
- 1 Trackback on December 23, 2006 at 2:51 pm
- 2 Trackback on February 15, 2007 at 5:23 pm
wooo, thanks for opening me eyes about this. Great initiative in having such projection to make all Mauritians aware of the dangers that await them outside.
Thanks for the pilot. The subject has to be developed into a full documentary. It will eye opening for many people indeed.
An interesting pilot! Often, we are not fully aware of the ‘bezer ki ramasser la-bas’, as says one of the guys…
Probably, some idea to expand the doc might be to interview the people who were deported back to Mauritius + also the girls who are having similar problems in London… (cos we see no girls in this pilot
I remember watching a doc on one of the satellite channels on the screening at Heathrow. It actually showed the ‘interrogation sessions’ and people who were ultimately deported.
The doc which was also shot about the Chagos (need to check who made it) also showed how the Chagossians had to stay in the airport for days before getting a visa despite UK’s commitments. Some went back. A few stayed and had a very difficult time. One lady became a cleaner in the airport…
Christina
It is a good piece of work as it gives a clear idea of how life is abroad and proves those who think life is easy totally wrong. This pilot documentary was made in such a way that you can really feel the emotion and grief expressed by the people being interviewed.
The bad thing about the pilot documentary was that that there were no female interviews. If you had included at least one female interview, it would have being fantastic, but never mind as it can be added later. You should also make it a bit longer by probably including some more scenes and pictures.
Apart from those small negative points the documentary was really nice as it gives me and other young a taste of how life is in UK
Ved
Hi,
First of all congratulations on making the pilot – I know how much work it is, as we are just finishing our first documentary.
I’m not gonna touch the subject matter, but some general ideas/inputs/distractions:
The start is a bit slow – especially for a pilot – it should really grab the audience; in the case of a pilot that would be professional film buyers, and they do not have the patience to wait for a point to be made. Go bang! bang! this is what this film is about.
For the graphics: if you plan on publishing the film in an english country, I would suggest of finding a more elegant solution with subtitles and name graphics – right now one becomes a bit overloaded with visual information: I want to see the guy talking, at the same time I have to read the subtitles, and then I also want to read who the guy is.
Give some more breathing space.
I’m not sure how wise it is to publish the film on You Tube, if you want to sell the film at a later point. I understand that you are eager to get input, but maybe you should only make small segments publicly available.
If you have no commercial interest, then I can also bow in honour.
Thank you all for your comments.
As we will be developing this pilot into a ‘proper’ documentary, all the points that have been raised will be considered carefully and we will definitely have the ladies voicing out their concerns as well.
This pilot was rushed and it was not easy convincing girls to participate in it, as they did not know where it would be shown. But now I think they will feel more confident once they see the pilot.
The issues that have been presented in this pilot are just the tip of the iceberg. The real reason behind people migrating or studying overseas is not just influenced by an individual’s choice or preference, but various social, cultural, economical and political issues that exist in both Mauritius and other countries, also influence one to make such decisions.
Very interesting. It would be great if a series on Mauritians living in the UK could be made.
Christina: I have met with many of the Chagossians who have come to the UK, as I am a good friend of Olivier Bancoult. To be fair, there are two groups: one that follows Bancoult and one that does not. The people who were stranded at Gatwick Airport came to England on the advice of an “agent” at at time when the arrangements for their arrival had not yet been finalised between Bancoult and the authorities. Unfortunately, they were misled.
Fortunately, Olivier stepped in and lobbied for them to be given accommodation. For some time, they were lodged in a hotel in Crawley near Gatwick Airport. Now, many have moved elsewhere. At one time, one of the girls stayed with my wife and me. She moved to Manchester, and we never heard of her again.
Regarding the interviewing process at the airport, my wife’s cousin was detained overnight because the interview process overran, and no interpreter was available in the late hours. We waited at Heathrow until midnight and had to drive back there the next day. While in immigration custody, he was given food and a blanket. The next day, when an interpreter was available, the process was fast, and my wife’s cousin was given leave to visit the UK.
To be fair, the system has limitations. To exercise greater controls over their borders, the immigration authorities have to compromise. Unfortunately, all foreigners (not just Mauritians) are on the wrong side. But then again, the current situation has arisen because of the increase in visa frauds, especially from Mauritian people.
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hi
i would like to congratulate the whole team “un grand bravo”,the film is simply what i have been experiencing here,actually i arrived here on september 2006,and whatever was said in the pilot video is exactly what i experienced here.Had i watched the video b4 coming here i think this would have helped me a lot,but anyways,am the uk does teach u things where ‘to senti ki ene seul coute tone grandi’and mo croire sa l’experience la pou aide moi beaucoup quand mo retourne dan mo paradise,parcequi moi mo still croire mtius is a paradise island apres tou c qui ena ici.
bye et bon continuation
I am surprised how depressive life could be some people who wants to achieve in life. I know it is difficult. I have never Mauritian in England as I heard there are many of them out there. I wish I could meet with them and discuss and make friends. I want to meet Mauritian girls and boys and be part of their team and their sufferings.
Guys keep it up, do not lose hope. There is always a Light at the End of the Tunnel. zuleymatini@yahoo.com. Please contact and let us meet.
Zuleyma
I came across The Mauritian Londoner Pilot on YouTube. I must say that is very well made and does reflect the true situation of Mauritian Students in London. Speaking from experience, all that was said in the documentary is true, except that the people interviewed project a very skewed view of what life is in UK.
Sure, the people interviewed talked about the bad things, but nothing was said about what you can achieve.
I have done the lot, worked night and day, studied, renewed my visa and all. And nowadays I work for one of the most prestigious companies in the world..and i did not have to marry an english girl for the privilige!!
Hard work pays, but it seems that The Mauritian Londoner protrays the people interviewed as victims.
hi everybody,
I would like to share my opinion with you all! I was really impressed by the pilot film which reflect the true life in U.K, but I would like to add that in U.K where hard life starts for most mauricians, like AmarB says, hardworks do pay, here you do not need to be ministers family or work for politicians as agents to be able to secure a well-paid job or get your family a good job,here they do give you job on meritocracy provided you work hard.And if one door is close, another door is open for you, thats how most mauritians managed to get settled here.You do not get anything free or without great struggle, this is real life!! Away from the shelter of family, the shadow of protective mum or dad,its time to face the bitter part of real life like a grown up adult.So those who are more ambitious, they need to realise that if they want to get paid in pound instead of mauritian rupees,then they have to work like those in this country.And everyone who got settled here had to go through this hard times to understand the lifestyle here.So good luck guys and may you be successful at the end!
Hi,
I am very happy to see a good piece of work done by a Mauritian. So Congratulations for the effort. I believe everything in that video are real life stories but also believe that it might be one sided. I agree though Mauritians in london are different from the ones back home and they’ve got to be because they are now living in here and learning the culture from here. I would like to make a request to all those mauritians living here in London. Please if you come across one from home say at least a hello to them. If you find one looking for help, try to be helpful, I do not mean in monetary terms but at least by giving them some proper advice and good direction. Else I believe evrybody has to bear their own cross and make it till the end. Life is difficult but remember fortune favours the brave !!
Good luck to my Mauritian friends struggling here and finding means to make ends meet. Regards to all. Vik
omgosh… i nearly cried!! that video was so wel done! and i want to meet mauritian people too! im mauritian and i didnt no it was that hard..
Hi All,
It is a great documentary as it raises awareness about dodgy colleges in the Uk however one thing bothers me and i have come across many mauritians with the same mentality. People who have been here for a while or have settled down here always discourage others, esp newcomers!!!! If UK was so bad then what the hell are they doing here? With regards to students well let me tell you, they are only allowed 20hrs weekly however no one mentioned the amount of benefits they get from the government, some of them includes, a third off their travel, low tax payment (if not no tax at all if they work under 20hrs), free prescription, cheap lenses and specs, dentist, gym membership etc etc. With regards to food, everything is cheap!
To sum up, students have loads of benefit however many of our fellow compatriotes are easily influenced by the “British” way of living and look for easy money! I have been in the UK for 6 years now and i Started my career by selling goods door to door to support myself and have worked my way through to management in a well established company. There are plenty of jobs available in the Uk for those who dont have a losing mentality. I have come across many mauritians who just sit at home, stay on the internet all day and say “Mo pena travay, mone avoy cv mais mo pas gagne reponse”.
Someone who wants a job will call employers and follow up and find out why he wasnt selected so when applying for a job next time they dont commit the same mistake or improve on what they need to work on! However this doesnt happen!
I believe where there is a will, there is a way and we always have a choice to choose from right and wrong and its down to us which one we go for.
For those who want to study in the UK, you can double check info on colleges or uni on http://studyuk.blogspot.com/
Hope this is of help, UK is not the dream land we see in movies but hey Mauritius is no less!
Yes the video is good, although maybe try showing a family guy, I dont pity people like this, why leave a good life to struggle here.
I am sorry but most use student status as a way to remain here, this is a disgrace.
We mauritians here most came through the right channels, we work hard and pay full taxes, our kids are being let down by schools, as schools can no-longer cope, dont forget you pay the full tax, and get shit services, you pay everything 100%, they get discount and pay less taxes than you, this is not normal. They are allowed to work 20 hrs, yet what are they doing, working more than 20hrs a week cash in hand, which in turn decreases our values in term of job status, why pay someone £20 p/h who is fully qualified, when u can pay these people £5p/h cash in hand.