We, Students!

Viewer Advice: Contains depictions of violence towards animals and themes of sexual violence.

An extremely rare look at university life in the Central African Republic as four students are thrown personal and emotional curveballs on their path to a better future.

Nestor, Aaron and Benjamin and Rafiki (the film’s director) are friends and students at the CAR’s University of Bangui. They’re trying their hardest to survive in a society that is seemingly tearing itself apart at the seams: around every corner lurk danger, corruption and sexual harassment, which they must navigate along with overcrowded classrooms, romantic entanglements, and worries about money and employment. But through it all shines their hope that, one day, they can set things right.

We, Students! is the first film from the Central African Republic to screen at the Berlinale, and only the second ever piece of cinema produced in the landlocked country. Amid unrest and economic turmoil across the nation – where cameras are unfamiliar sights (Rafiki was arrested three times during production) – it’s a miracle that this film exists at all. But following Bangui’s investment into documentary training, Fariala will hopefully be joined by other, similarly wide-eyed and energetic chroniclers of life from this underseen corner of the world.

“An intimate look at a confused generation torn by unrealistic dreams and an inhospitable reality … [Fariala’s] filmmaking shows palpable humanism and wisdom beyond his years.” – The Africa Report