FEMINIST TIME TRAVEL – Solidarity Screening

“Chez Jolie Coiffure” – Solidarity Film Screening for Sabine Amiyeme

When: February 23, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Where: SINEMA TRANSTOPIA, Berlin

»This film is part of a process I started when I arrived in Belgium in 2007: to discover the African community from the inside, the other side of the medal, the other side of the European dream.«

– Directed by Rosine Mbakam

In Matongé, the African quarter of Brussels, Cameroonian hairstylist Sabine Amiyeme runs her salon, Jolie Coiffure. More than just a place for the latest hair trends and gossip, it is a hub of solidarity, offering support and a sense of community for the African diaspora. However, like many of her clients, Sabine lacks official residency papers, making every police raid a threat to her livelihood.

Sabine Amiyeme, the protagonist of Rosine Mbakam’s documentary Chez Jolie Coiffure, has lived and worked in Brussels for 13 years, building a life, a business, and a strong community network despite enduring a long and traumatic migration journey. Yet, she has been unable to secure permanent residency. On October 2, 2024, she was arrested in Liège and now faces imminent deportation to Cameroon.

At her most recent hearing on January 8, 2025, her appeal against the deportation order was rejected. Her forced removal is not only a devastating blow to her personally but also to her employees and the wider community, who have launched a petition in her defense.

As members of the film industry, we stand in solidarity with Sabine Amiyeme by screening Chez Jolie Coiffure in Berlin. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go directly toward supporting Sabine.

This event is a collaboration between SINEMA TRANSTOPIA, Frauenfilmfest Dortmund Köln, AFRIKAMERA – Aktuelles Kino aus Afrika (toucouleur e.V.), and ProQuote Film e.V.

Join us in showing solidarity. Your support matters.