The Unseen: A Documentary with Q&A Session

The Unseen follows three African migrants, exploring their living conditions in Borgo Mezzanone, one of the largest immigrant ghettos in Southern Italy, and the exploitation they endure. After the film, Milou Rientjes will be present for a Q&A session! Each individual has their personal story, motivations for leaving their homeland, and ways of coping with their current situation. The film also tackles the larger systemic issues of exploitation, invisibility, and Italy’s handling of residency permits. These migrants are trapped in a vicious cycle where returning home is impossible, yet staying becomes unbearable. MILOU RIENTJENS: With a background in International Development Studies, Milou is dedicated to vulnerable communities. Her research on the exploitation of African migrant laborers in Italy led to her debut documentary, The Unseen. After her role as a team leader at VluchtelingenWerk, she established the Nuru Foundation in Tanzania. Milou believes in the power of film as a tool for awareness and action. NIEK PENNINGS: Niek began his career as a cameraman and editor in television before founding his own production company, Beeldzeggend, in 2007. For the past eight years, he has fully focused on his true passion: documentaries. Niek sees film as the ultimate way to capture authentic stories that resonate, offer new perspectives, and provoke thought.