Acting in a film: how many teenagers have one day cherished this dream without really believing in it? For Letsi, Toko, Dino, Rodja and the others, young inhabitants of the working-class district of Onex, in Geneva, this chimera has become reality. Better, they thought and directed themselves a short film inspired by their not always rosy daily life, between friendships, galleys and hopes. Baptized “Mal à la vie”, the film was produced with the financial support of the Onex-Cité district contract and accompanied in particular by the Citizen Action Service of the municipality and the Parks Prevention Unit Bus. An initiative slowed down by the pandemic, but which nevertheless saw the light of day thanks to the perseverance of the young people and the mentors who accompanied them. The official screening took place on Friday evening in the presence of the municipal authorities who see it as a model of a cultural integration project.
At the origin of the project launched at the end of 2020, four friends from Onex and La Jonction, who decided to give a boost to teenagers in these working-class neighborhoods, often cataloged because they do not fit into the boxes or that cross empty passages. Social workers Carmeline Manzengo and Marco Gianfreda, director Yasmine Bahechar and multidisciplinary artist Maëva Weissen, have thus used their skills and contacts to create the association called Odyssée13 and embark 8 young people aged 17 and 23 on an adventure extraordinary.
“This project punctuated our Sundays”
Project management, editing, script writing or even oral expression, sound recording and subtitling: the film allowed young people to learn about different trades most of which knew nothing about. “This project punctuated our Sundays. Rather than zoning out, we were focused on a goal and that motivated us,” says Eusebio, 17. “It’s a source of pride for us to show, through this film, that we can overcome difficulties and move forward,” adds the second-year business school student, who admits to being touched by the confidence received in particular from the HAED which lent the equipment. Another young person adds that thanks to the project, which served as a business card, he got a job in accounting.
Valuing the commitment of young people through cultural or sports integration projects, the canton, anxious to fight against school dropout, has made it a priority. Recently, the Department of Social Cohesion invested 1 million francs for this type of initiative. Municipalities are not left out. Onex administrative advisor in charge of Citizen Action, Anne Kleiner welcomes an example of a project carried out by and for young people. “In life, it’s all about choosing the right path,” she philosophizes. This project will inhabit your life and contribute to your integration into society.” For his colleague Carole-Anne Kast, mayor of Onex and candidate for the Council of State, the film demonstrates the usefulness of neighborhood contracts, a link between the associative world and the institutions.
A punchy movie
Basically, “Mal à la vie” is intended as an outlet for frustrations and failures experienced. The fictional scenario provides an overview of a youth in turbulent transition to adulthood, between hopes of an aborted football career, family pressure, petty trafficking, sense of belonging, rap, violence and regrets. Disarming, the budding actors appear there without filters or frills in a punchy film that leaves no one indifferent.