Léa, Noëlle, Monique, Simone and Marie-José were born in the Congo, the daughters of a Black mother and a white father. When they were between 2 and 5 years old, they were taken away from their mothers by the Belgian colonial authorities as part of a systematic policy of racial segregation.

This animated documentary recounts their childhood memories and the trauma they experienced. The film uses live-action footage to report on the legal proceedings they have brought against the Belgian state for crimes against humanity.

MÉTISSES – CINQ FEMMES CONTRE UN CRIME D'ÉTAT – DIRECTED BY QUENTIN NOIRFALISSE AND JEAN-CHARLES MBOTTI MALOLO, FRANCE, BELGIUM, 2026, 1H 26M, IN FRENCH WITH DUTCH SUBTITLES
 

Acces Dialogue

The screening will be followed by a conversation by psychologist Tania Nyanguile (Vulnera) with, among others, researcher Pauline Malenga Mwanga (University of Antwerp), on identity, recognition and the lasting impact of historical injustice.

The stories of five women who, as children, were victims of Belgium’s colonial segregation policy, form the starting point. Why is recognition so important? How does trauma persist across generations? And how do we, as a society, deal with painful histories? An open discussion with space for personal experiences and collective reflection.

This program was curated by Sadjo Thiam of Acces in collaboration with Spreken is Goud by De Roma. Acces Dialogue is an interactive format developed by Acces that brings together diverse voices through carefully curated events designed to stimulate meaningful conversations and generate collective insights on contemporary social and cultural issues.