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Storyline
Jahia lives in an asylum center in Belgium, where her dim prospects for the future cast a shadow over her life. Then she meets the feisty and spirited Neta, a young Moldavian girl, who drags Jahia along with her crazy energy.
Synopsis
In a Belgian asylum center, Jahia lives a quiet, guarded life with her traumatized mother. Everything shifts when spirited Mila arrives. Drawn together, the two young girls form a fragile bond that brings warmth and resilience into an environment marked by fear and uncertainty. Jahia begins cooking to comfort her mother, while Mila faces the looming verdict that will decide her asylum claim. Their friendship becomes a refuge, a space where hope can breathe despite the shadows of exile. With sensitivity and restraint, Olivier Meys shapes a tender, Dardenne-like tale about belonging, childhood solidarity, and the fragile balance between safety and loss.
Directed by
Director and screenwriter Olivier Meys graduated from the Institute of Broadcasting Arts in Belgium. He started out making short films and documentaries. His award-winning feature debut, ›Bitter Flowers‹ (2017), the predecessor to ›Jahia’s Summer‹, also explores the personal challenges of leaving one’s homeland.
