In the clear, alpine waters of a river in southern Switzerland, three young Afghan refugees seek relief from the heat. On the riverbank, with the gentle sound of rippling water in the background, they meet peers from the local area and enjoy simple, everyday moments. But beneath these idyllic summer scenes lies deep uncertainty: a proposed amendment to Swiss law means single, healthy Afghan males over the age of 18 could face deportation to the very country they fled.
Hours pass, and painful memories begin to resurface. The boys speak about their perilous journeys through dark forests, about overcrowded boats, the loss of loved ones, and the violence of the Taliban that drove them to flee. Evocative shots of the landscape and intimate conversations on the riverbank capture the stark contrast between the tranquil Swiss setting and the harsh reality of life as a refugee. Ragazzi al fiume (“Boys by the river”) gradually evolves into an observational portrait of isolation, loss, and the longing for a peaceful future.
Stills
