The city of Agadez in Niger is at the center of political strife in the documentary On the Border. A town whose economy survives off migration across the Sahara for work has suddenly been told that the transporting of people without proper identification is illegal. The European Union has left the people of Niger out of work with no say, no compensation, and no explanation.
The purpose for this outlawing was to combat terrorism. For context; After the death of Gaddafi and the fall of Libya, Europe became very interested in Agadez. Migration became a lucrative business for Libyan gangs and Europe struggled to control it. Empty promises of protection have left Agadez feeling totally abandoned and the adverse effect has occurred from the law meant to protect its people, destroying the economy and leaving large portions of the population out of work.
Tourism was a major component of the Agadez region but as the city has fallen into the Red Zone for travel and the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, this source of income has been completely wiped out. The limiting of migration work shows how out of touch the government is with the society it serves.
At the core of this documentary are the people, putting a voice to what the ramifications of these laws has done. Ahmed Dizzi, a local shop owner who has learned over 7 languages is living proof of Agadez thriving off tourism and he recounts the tragedy and decline in the city he’s experienced first hand. Tilla Amadou is a journalist who broadcasts a local radio station, Nomad FM, sharing people’s stories and struggles. Then there’s Rhissa Feltou the Mayor of Agadez who is the biggest advocate for his people. All of them share the common belief that this law has directly led to a rise in both crime and drug usage amongst youth harming the place they call home.
Over the course of this 5 year period the documentary crew witnesses a coup, Niger’s fifth overthrow of the government since gaining independence in 1960. They reverse this law freeing those imprisoned and the junta ask EUCAP Sahel & French Troops to leave as well as American and German troops to close their bases by 2024. This resilience is built into the people we follow, refusing to allow occupation and abandonment, keeping hope in the uncertain new future.
This is Director’s Gerald Igor Hauzenberger & Gabriella Schild’s first collaboration. The film plays to each their strengths. For Schild the psychological story is concerned with how society is affected while Hauzenberger's focuses on explaining the geopolitical landscape, as nuanced as it is. This is Schild’s first feature length documentary and for Hauzenberger this is his Framelab Filmproduktion’s 6th feature length documentary. On the Border was nominated for the Vaclav Havel Special Award at the Prague One World Film Festival in 2025.
For all the politics this film is concerned with, the visual storytelling is why it stands out. Feltou contemplates his dismissal from his mayorship, he stares at a tree where birds flutter on the branches. Although there are remnants of plastic stuck on the tree, something he worked patiently to fix at the start of the film, this time he gazes at the beauty of nature taking over. The wide shots of the landscape play directly off the title. In such an expansive vast desert where did the borders come from? All this is woven into a story concerned with the current affairs of a country in political upheaval. Recommend.
Why should academic libraries consider including this documentary in their collections?
The story in this documentary is relatable to all. Delving into the politics of a specific place, at a specific time, is incredibly useful for a collection that is concerned with world politics and global affairs. By focusing on Agadez and the real people affected by shifting migration laws, On the Border connects broader geopolitical decisions to lived experience, helping students better understand how policy impacts everyday life. This documentary is perfect for any media education program focused on the state of affairs in Africa, and it also works well for courses in political science, international relations, and migration studies, where context and human perspective are essential.
Is this Nigerien documentary suitable for classroom or community discussion-based screenings?
Although this documentary is specific to Niger, and more specifically the city of Agadez, it does have a much wider scope. The involvement of the European Union and its concern with migration policies opens the door to meaningful discussions about how outside powers influence local populations and whether those interventions are effective or harmful. These themes make it a strong candidate for classroom use, especially when paired with guided discussion or additional materials. Any library with a Nigerien community should have this, but even beyond that, the film’s focus on resilience, economic struggle, and political change will resonate with a broad range of audiences in both academic and community screening settings.
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