Source: Yeabsira Eshetu (LinkedIn- Yeabsira E. Mandefro)
Imagine this- When you're just six years old, a time meant for endless play, boundless energy, and insatiable curiosity, your vision is stolen from you due to a misguided attempt to alleviate a simple allergic reaction.
That’s what happened to the protagonist of the short documentary film entitled ‘Berhanu: Beyond the Barrier’, which invites viewers to witness the extraordinary odyssey of an extraordinary man who, through trials and tribulations found a way to flourish.
This documentary was crafted as a tribute to the Focus on Ability Film Festival, which serves as a platform for aspiring young filmmakers to narrate the compelling stories of individuals living with different abilities. This remarkable festival is a celebration of empowerment, fostering connections between those with disabilities and those without, as it champions the voices and experiences of diverse individuals.
Source: Focus on Ability Film Festival (YouTube)- Opening shot
Source: Focus on Ability Film Festival (YouTube)
The documentary starts with small details of Mr. Berhanu carrying out his daily work like typing, and reading and then he sits down to walk us through his journey and story.
Source: Focus on Ability Film Festival (YouTube)
Following the onset of his visual impairment, Mr. Berhanu relocated to Addis Ababa alongside his family in pursuit of an education specifically tailored to the visually impaired. However, when that school ceased operations, Mr. Berhanu undertook another move to a different location, where he ultimately had the opportunity to resume his education and successfully graduate from the 7th and 8th grades.
Source: Focus on Ability Film Festival (YouTube)
Mr. Berhanu, against all odds, studied alongside sighted students. Despite encountering discrimination and social stigma from teachers, neighbors, and others in his community, he managed to rise above it all, emerging as one of the 19 students who achieved passing grades to university in his high school.
Source: Focus on Ability Film Festival (YouTube)
It came as a surprise to the community because in those times, it was very hard to pass exams for sighted students let alone being a visually impaired student, but Mr. Berhanu did it earning not only admiration of his community but also, he received praise and appreciation from the Emperor himself, Haileselassie I.
Source: Focus on Ability Film Festival (YouTube)
“There is pressure from the teachers, problems from the school, problems from neighbors, problems from classmates—there are a lot of problems, but we can surpass all these problems if we are patient, if we have a goal, and if we work towards that goal without giving up. I think that can make you successful.” – Mr. Berhanu
Mr. Berhanu currently works in a Non-Governmental Organization called Together Ethiopia, where they support differently abled people. In the past 10 years that it has operated, they have more than 11,000 direct beneficiaries, and again, indirectly with their families, they were able to help 25,000 people.
Filmmaker Profile
Yeabsira Eshetu and Brook Michael are emerging self-taught documentary filmmakers, poised to make their mark in the world of non-fiction storytelling. Driven by a profound curiosity about human experience and a passion for shedding light on untold stories, Yeabsira and Brook have dedicated themselves to the art of documentary filmmaking.
Despite being in the early stages of their career, Yeabsira and Brook are immersing themselves in various thought-provoking documentaries. They approach filmmaking as a medium of storytelling and advocacy. They strive to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, shedding light on pressing social issues and challenging societal norms. With sensitivity and respect, they unveil the personal narratives that often go unnoticed, fostering empathy and inspiring meaningful conversations.
Follow them:
Vimeo: Yeabsira Eshetu Mandefro
Linkedin: BM Films
Youtube: Jember Film Production
Brook Michael
LinkedIn: BM Films
Vimeo: Brook
