Mohammed’s story: life in the Canary Islands after the crossing
Produced by: Ibrahim Molough & Tania Korwin-Zmijowski
Our TV-Tonic video project is a two-minute portrait of Mohammed Traoré, a 26-year-old Malian migrant who arrived in Lanzarote after crossing the Atlantic from Morocco.
Through his voice and testimony, the video traces his journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands, and highlights the long period of waiting that many migrants experience upon arrival. We follow a glimpse of Mohammed’s daily life in Gran Canaria, where he now waits for a transfer to mainland Spain, as detailed more fully in the article we published alongside this video.
The aim of this video was to put a face to migration, a topic often treated as abstract or impersonal. We followed a linear structure: From his departure from Mali, through hisperilous crossing of West and North Africa, to his dangerous boat journey, rescue at sea, and current life on the Spanish archipelago. We also show part of his new routine, such as learning Spanish with a language app, offering insight into how he tries to adapt to the country that received him. The video was made with his full consent and reviewed with him before publication.
Originally, we had planned to focus on Senegalese fishermen but were unable to find direct sources on the ground. This led us to slightly shift our angle, while remaining fully within the core theme of migration.
The editing was carried out by Ibrahim. The shooting was done jointly, although Tania was more frequently behind the camera. We filmed in several locations over a few days, following Mohammed through his routine, a crucial step in building trust and understanding his story deeply.
Migration is both a European and a human issue. While our article offers broader context, data, and political analysis, the video brings the viewer directly into one lived experience, and that’s where its strength lies.
Many thanks again to TV Tonic for their support!
The video is just one element of the project from the Canary Islands.
See and read the full project here: