"The sea is not a place to pass by
the sea is not a road
But today we are alive
It is risky in life
not to take a risk
because life itself is a risk"
Lampedusa is located 70 miles from the African coast and 120 miles from Sicily, and is the absolute protagonist of Fire at Sea. The calm of nature at its wildest contrasts with the hidden dangers of the sea, which provides a living for the fishermen of the island and represents hope for the desperate people who cross it. The little everyday routines of the locals of Lampedusa contrast with the rescue operations carried out by humanitarian workers, two worlds that co-exist in a 20 square kilometres space and never seem to collide.
"The sea is not a place to pass by
the sea is not a road
But today we are alive
It is risky in life
not to take a risk
because life itself is a risk"
Lampedusa is located 70 miles from the African coast and 120 miles from Sicily, and is the absolute protagonist of Fire at Sea. The calm of nature at its wildest contrasts with the hidden dangers of the sea, which provides a living for the fishermen of the island and represents hope for the desperate people who cross it. The little everyday routines of the locals of Lampedusa contrast with the rescue operations carried out by humanitarian workers, two worlds that co-exist in a 20 square kilometres space and never seem to collide.
Lampedusa is the symbolic border of Europe. For years it has been the landing place for migrants arriving in Europe from the sea in search of a better life.