The story of Oury Jalloh, who burnt to death in a German prison cell in 2005. Oury Jalloh, a refugee from Sierra-Leone, who lives in former Eastern Germany, despairs of the society around him. He cannot attend social life and has no perspectives, he is not allowed to leave his district, he is not allowed to work and slowly he begins a silent, inner fight against systematic racism and social exclusion. The semi-documental short film was developed between refugees and young independent filmmakers and is connected to a true event: On the 7th January 2005, Oury Jalloh burnt to death in a police cell in Dessau, Germany.

The white German viewer does not get off easily with the film ‘Oury Jalloh’. It is not enjoyable for them to watch this film, as the reassuring ‘See’ or ‘I-told-you-so’ effect does not quite take hold. Many images, as well as the soundtrack, evoke a heightened sense of unease.
Der Freitag / Oury Jalloh by Simon J. Paetau / 26.12.2008

Selection of Festivals, Exhibitions & Awards

FLiMM Festival Libre du Moyen-Métrage 2022
Political Shortcuts International Short Film Festival Coblence 2009, First Price Fiction Category
German Youth Video Prize 2009
Kassel Documentary and Videofestival 2009
Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival 2008, Winner

Credits

Directed by: SIMON(E) JAIKIRIUMA PAETAU | Co-Directed by: MAMAN SALISSOU OUMAROU | Produced by: MARTIN BACKHAUS | Assistant Producer: MARTIN WROBLEWSKI | Script: SIMON(E) JAIKIRIUMA PAETAU, MAMAN SALISSOU OUMAROU, JUAN DAVID SOTO TABORDA, TIM TRAVERS HAWKINS, MARTIN BACKHAUS | Cinematography: TIM TRAVERS HAWKINS | Camera Assistant: JUAN DAVID SOTO TABORDA | Sound: MARTIN BACKHAUS | Production Design: MICHAELA MUCHINA | Production Assistant/Catering: TAHIS CARDONA | Editing: JUAN DAVID SOTO TABORDA | Sound Design: SIMON WOLF | Music: JIRI SLAVIK, JONATHAN WALTER |  Song “Mama” by: BANTU FEAT. AYUBA PIRANHA | Graphic Design: DOMINIQUE ZANAS

Reviews

With ‘Oury Jalloh’, filmmaker Simon Jaikiriuma Paetau sets an example against an ‘inhumane administrative machinery’, according to the jury’s statement. The everyday exclusion of refugees in Germany is also addressed in the half-documentary short film.
Der Tagesspiegel / Award: The Human Rights Film Prize goes to ‘Oury Jalloh’ / 06.12.2008

It’s a quiet, engaging character study – essentially an immigrant tale that ends in tragedy.
Blavity/ Watch Award-Winning, Quietly Engaging, Tragic Immigrant Tale, ‘Oury Jalloh’. / 20.10.2015