Borderscapes draws attention to the complexity surrounding migration and the myriad ethical and political issues arising from contemporary border policies. It builds on testimonial narratives, empirical examples, and reflective accounts to unpack the entanglements of surveillance technologies, the externalisation of border control, marchandage politique (political bargaining), and the way Europe’s colonial legacy in Africa continues today through extractive economic practices and the proliferating border and asylum control agreements (e.g. between Spain and Morocco and the recent UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership). The film makes you wonder, how far are developed countries willing to go to fortify their borders and revoke the freedom of movement, while at the same time intensifying their extractive practices to enable and maximise the flow of profit?

Director: Btihaj Ajana
Research: Btihaj Ajana, Audrey Samson, Francisco Gallardo
Narrative: Btihaj Ajana and Tyler Liddle
Production Assistant: Zhennuo Song

Suggested Readings:
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2023/02/10/casablanca-the-new-invisible-border-for-migrants-with-their-sights-set-on-europe_6015219_124.html

Ajana, B. (2013) Governing through Biometrics: The Biopolitics of Identity

Demetriou, O. and Dimova, R. (2018) The political materialities of borders: New theoretical directions.

Gazzotti, L. (2021) Immigration Nation: Aid, Control, and Border Politics in Morocco.