Across the Mediterranean Sea, the most deadly migration route, non-government organisations try to rescue people whose lives are in danger.
In recent years, saving people’s lives has been made increasingly difficult. Legal restrictions put in place by the maritime authorities to curb migration flows have aggravated the risks and dangers for people who embark on these journeys across the sea. In fact, the number of shipwrecks and deaths has risen significantly since 2020. The rescue operations by the NGO ships are more challenging than ever. They need to navigate a sea of laws and bureaucratic obstacles to avoid serious legal and economic consequences. These could jeopardise their simple mission and aim: to save human lives.
A short animation, created in collaboration with SOS Méditerranée Switzerland, engages the public in a topic which is unfamiliar to many. It encourages audiences to reflect on how NGOs, who dedicate themselves to saving lives, are at constant risk of being penalised for their work.
«Between factual reporting and a decidedly humanist stance, Enrico Bachmann has found his own way of showcasing an important and pressing socio-political matter. He skilfully employs the sound track to present the actual, fact-based story, and contrasts this with a relatively sober, model-like visual language which captivates viewers with its carefully crafted dramaturgy and montage. [...] This animation not only increases awareness and knowledge, but also manages this without resorting to the usual visual conventions of concern.» – Excerpt supporting statement of the Subject Area Knowledge Visualization
«This project deals with a topical, highly political social problem which is often subconsciously ignored, undermining the most basic form of humanity: solidarity.» – Enrico Bachmann
«Bringing stories and knowledge to life in illustrations and animations and contributing in this way to positive changes in our society – that is what I would like to do as a designer in the future.» – Enrico Bachmann