Addio all'Eden (2019), directed by Enrico Masi, is a documentary that delves into the personal odyssey of Pepsi, a transgender Filipino woman whose journey symbolizes the struggles of marginalized individuals navigating the complexities of identity, migration, and human rights. A film that highlights themes of displacement, gender identity, and resilience, Addio all'Eden confronts the viewer with harsh realities while offering a deeply emotional, philosophical, and mythological exploration of Europe’s refugee crisis.
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Pepsi, originally from a Muslim island in the southern Philippines, has experienced an unrelenting search for belonging and recognition, starting from her difficult beginnings in Mindanao, continuing through her years as a nurse in Gaddafi's Libya, and culminating in her journey across Europe. She is part of a larger flow of trans migrants, a global phenomenon that often goes unacknowledged. However, her story is distinguished by her gender identity, her Muslim faith, and her refusal to conform to society's expectations. Pepsi has endured the pain of being forced to conceal her true self to survive, adopting multiple identities along the way, all while seeking asylum in Europe. Enrico Masi, with his distinct filmmaking style, approaches the documentary with a keen understanding that the stories of those who are forced to leave their homelands and search for new places to live have almost become a genre of their own. Yet, he believes that these stories still deserve to be told in new and unconventional ways. This is where Pepsi's story becomes particularly significant - her journey is not merely one of geographical migration, but also one of emotional and psychological transition.
Being both transgender and Muslim, Pepsi faces a double challenge: the rejection from both her community and the broader society. Her search for a stable life is fraught with challenges, particularly as her gender identity is often associated with prostitution and subjugation in European societies. She refuses to be reduced to a stereotype and instead seeks to preserve her integrity. Pepsi is not only a nurse and professional massage therapist, but also a person fully aware of her rights as a human being, in a world where human beings sometimes behave worse than animals. Her journey reflects a broader existential exploration of borders - both physical and metaphysical.
In Addio all'Eden, these borders are not just geographical lines, but represent deeper societal, emotional, and psychological divides that she must navigate. The film's cinematography is a key feature that brings these themes to life. The precise and meticulous framing of each shot evokes the work of cinematographer Renato Berta, while the classical 1:1.37 aspect ratio integrates archival footage into the narrative, creating a sense of timelessness and movement. The film’s visual style is dynamic, constantly shifting as it reflects the subject's own journey.
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Shelter, as the film is also known, is not just a documentary, but a migration in itself - one that seeks to infiltrate the very structure of geographic and social boundaries. In terms of narrative, the film unfolds like a “Decameron of stories,” each one interconnected by the central theme of seeking refuge. Through a mythological lens, divided into three segments - contemplation, observation, and narration - Addio all'Eden engages with Europe’s current humanitarian crisis. The film explores how borders, both physical and ideological, are challenged by those who, like Pepsi, refuse to be confined by societal norms and regulations. Her journey - through Italy, France, and the perilous passage through the Alps - is a symbolic crossing of the “death pass,” a term that refers to the dangerous border crossings made by migrants trying to enter Europe. Pepsi’s journey through Bologna, Ventimiglia, and Paris embodies both her search for a safe space and a quest for identity. Her asylum process, which initially saw her recognized in Italy, is just one part of a much broader struggle for recognition. As she moves across borders, Pepsi faces discrimination, exploitation, and violence. Yet, she continues, driven by an unshakable sense of self and a desire for something more than just survival - she seeks a place to thrive, to live authentically.
In Paris, Pepsi adopts a second identity, finding clandestine work as a masseuse, sharing interstitial spaces with other refugees, such as Afghans, Nigerians, and Sudanese, within the cold architecture of the city. The choice to remain anonymous, never showing her face to the camera, reflects her desire to protect her privacy while revealing her personal story to the world. Pepsi’s tale is one of resilience - a post-colonial parable that intertwines European geography with an intimate emotional drama. The film’s exploration of identity extends beyond individual experience. It touches on the collective struggles of refugees, migrants, and the oppressed who navigate the complex political and social landscapes of Europe.
Gabriele, another character in the documentary, lives in a state of solitude, finding solace in classical music while interacting with the world through support services for those in need. His story, like Pepsi’s, reflects the difficulty of finding a stable and secure place in a world rife with inequality and division. The film weaves together these narratives, creating a tapestry that highlights the universal need for safe spaces where people can express their true identities without fear of persecution. The idea of "Shelter" in the film goes beyond the notion of physical protection; it touches on the need for recognition, dignity, and freedom from oppression.
The documentary offers a profound reflection on the ways in which the concept of borders - both physical and psychological - shapes the lives of those who, like Pepsi, are caught in the web of migration. The film’s visual style, combined with the poignant voice-over narration by Eva Robin’s, allows the viewer to experience this journey not just as a series of events, but as an emotional and philosophical exploration of the self in relation to the world. In Addio all'Eden, Masi constructs a complex, multi-layered narrative that moves fluidly between geography and identity, between myth and reality. The film’s themes of migration, identity, and the search for belonging are framed within the larger context of a global crisis, where human beings are often reduced to statistics or stereotypes. Yet, the film’s power lies in its ability to give voice to those who are often silenced, presenting their stories not as isolated instances but as part of a larger, shared human experience. Pepsi’s journey is emblematic of the countless individuals who continue to migrate in search of a better life, not just for survival, but for the opportunity to live as their true selves.
Addio all'Eden offers a potent reminder that the borders that divide us are not as absolute as they appear, and that the need for connection, recognition, and freedom transcends the artificial divisions imposed by society. In conclusion, Addio all'Eden is not just a documentary about a transgender Filipino woman’s journey across Europe; it is a reflection on the universal human need for dignity, identity, and belonging. Enrico Masi’s film challenges us to reconsider our understanding of borders and migration, offering a powerful meditation on the ways in which our lives are shaped by the spaces we occupy - and the spaces we are denied.
Image credits: YouTube
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