Film Screening & Director Q&A: Chemin de Terre
Date: Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Alliance Ethio-française
Admission: FREE
About the Film
Chemin de Terre is a compelling documentary by filmmaker Simon Desjobert that explores the lives of three railway workers—Goshou, Berhanu, and Basha—tasked with maintaining an aging train line that crosses the vast Ethiopian desert. Their work, grounded in routine and resilience, is threatened by the looming arrival of a newly built, Chinese-funded electrified railway.
Through quiet observation and powerful imagery, the film paints a portrait of human perseverance, infrastructure politics, and shifting landscapes in a globalizing world.
⏳ Runtime: Approx. [runtime not specified – typically 60–90 minutes]
Post-Screening Discussion
A conversation with director Simon Desjobert will follow the screening. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights into his creative process, his experiences filming in Ethiopia, and the broader context of infrastructure development and community narratives.
About the Filmmaker
Simon Desjobert is a French documentary filmmaker trained at the University of Évry in creative documentary. He co-directed Hana’s Spring, a film that captured public expression during Egypt’s revolutionary period. The film was featured at the prestigious Cinéma du Réel festival in 2013. Desjobert is also dedicated to participatory storytelling through collaborative creative workshops with diverse communities.
