Naima, the charismatic subject of Anna Thommen’s engrossing documentary, and is always on the move. The film opens with her taking a deep plunge into a bright blue swimming pool, an image that embodies her struggles as a Venezuelan migrant in Switzerland. Naima dives deep into life goals with a fierce passion, yet she often finds herself buffeted by currents.
Sixteen years ago, she had moved to the country for love, only to be mistreated by her Swiss husband. Since her diploma was not recognised in Switzerland, she went from managing a team of 48 to being wholly dependent on her partner. Then, left in a financially precarious position after her divorce, she subsequently lost custody of her two children.
Now enrolled in a nursing course, Naima throws herself into her internship at a rehab centre, embracing not only the medical side of things, but also showing heartfelt empathy towards the patients. More than just clinical, their interactions have the warmth of conversations between friends. Their backgrounds might differ, yet Naima too has suffered social marginalisation, just like those under her care. Considering this, it’s all the more shocking when Naima’s supervisors fail her in her final evaluation – though appreciated by her patients, her friendliness is deemed unprofessional. This is yet another instance where Naima is discriminated against because of her accent and her skin colour.
That she is able to win an academic appeal is an inspiring moment, even if her story echoes the plight of other immigrants who are unable to maximise their full potential. The touching moment when her children attend her graduation ceremony feels like a passing of the torch; Naima’s fight will perhaps bring about a brighter future for the next generation.
