The Last Shore

The Last Shore
Directed byJean-François Ravagnan
Written byJean-François Ravagnan
Produced byJulie Frères
CinematographyThomas Schira
Edited byMarc Recchia
Music byJean Kapsa
Production
companies
  • Dérives
  • Michigan Films
  • Wallonie Image Production
Release date
Running time
71 minutes
Countries
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Qatar
LanguageFula

The Last Shore (French: La Dernière Rive) is a 2025 documentary film directed by Jean-François Ravagnan. The film delves into the tragic story of Pateh Sabally, a young Gambian man who drowned in Venice's Grand Canal in 2017, and the aftermath experienced by his family.[1]

Premise

In January 2017, a video of a young Gambian drowning in the waters of Venice’s Grand Canal went viral on social networks. From the shore, passers-by insulted him without helping him. Filmed with a mobile phone, the body, petrified by the cold, appears to be sinking despite the lifebuoys thrown in its direction. He was 22 and his name was Pateh Sabally. 2500 miles away, the voices and faces of his family tell the story that preceded this tragedy, the story behind the image...

Production

The Last Shore is a co-production between Belgium, France, and Qatar.[2] The film was produced by Dérives, with co-production support from Michigan Films, Wallonie Image Production, Les Films d'Ici, and Sténopé. Julie Frères served as the producer.[3][4]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Visions du Réel film festival in Nyon, Switzerland, where it was featured in the Highlights section.[5] It also screened at DOK.fest München in May 2025.[6]

References

  1. ^ Hunter, Allan. "'The Last Shore' review: The aftermath of the tragic death of a Gambian migrant". Screen. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  2. ^ "La Dernière rive – Films". Visions du Réel. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  3. ^ "The Last Shore (La Dernière Rive)". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Unifrance will support a France Focus at Visions du Réel - Unifrance". en.unifrance.org. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Review: The Last Shore". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  6. ^ "THE LAST SHORE (LA DERNIÈRE RIVE)" (in German). Retrieved 3 June 2025.