Voices From Detention

Making Films for the Walking Inquiry By Ridy Wasolua

When I was asked about making the videos for the project, for the Walking Inquiry questions, I was pleased. I enjoyed doing them. Everything just fell in place, even the recording. I spoke to people about what they thought detention changes should be, what the Walking Inquiry stood for, what the whole project meant to them, what they will tell their friends about it, and what they would do if they could do more. It’s easy to record but editing sometimes can take longer than you thought, because there’s details that you might miss. So, I do the recording then I leave it and come back to it to make sure I’ve covered all the corners and to make the video work. Yeah, it was challenging, you know. Each time I get these challenges it helps me to learn and progress, become better in what I do and I’m gonna keep learning to get better.

Thank you to Refugee Tales and GDWG for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills. Skills that I’ve just grown from learning you know, passion for the Walking Inquiry, the whole refugee team and the work that we do. It means a lot to change people’s lives, for voices to be heard, not just for Refugee Tales but around the whole country, what people are going through day in day out. You know, life is not easy but by doing these videos it gives people a different opinion on refugees. Refugees are hard-working people that just want to settle down and get on with their lives, but there’s barriers that need to be crossed. We’re going to keep working, breaking these barriers, and keep doing more videos to try to make a change.

It’s not easy but we’re gonna keep working hard and getting different opinions. That’s what was exciting about this video, getting to know people’s opinions, how they felt, how they felt it was going, what they felt the achievement is, what they want from the future. I love it, I just love doing the work. When you do something you’re more passionate about, you take your time trying to make it perfect, because that’s what I’m about. I want it to be perfect, I’m not trying to rush it, if I’m rushing I won’t be happy with it and I won’t feel that I’ve done a good job.

I was glad that it all came together, and everyone got to see video one. Thanks for everyone who took part, who gave their time, it was great everyone working together. Life is not easy right now for a lot of people, those crossing the channel, those in detention centres, we have to keep fighting for them to keep pushing till these changes come. The videos will play a part now, they will be heard. It gives us a chance to do more and more to let these voices be heard. 

To watch some of the videos Ridy produced for the Walking Inquiry please click here