How Do You Spell Home?

Juneco is a centre for unaccompanied minor refugees in the Flanders region of Belgium, home to young people from countries such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Eritrea. They stay here until they turn 18, when those who have been granted asylum in Belgium can look for a home of their own. Those whose applications have been rejected face an uncertain future in a country where they are no longer welcome.

Filmmaker Louisiana Mees-Fongang spent months in the small-scale home, where there is a fragile balance between the residents, who have already been through so much, and the dedicated staff. She captures the young people’s life stories, and observes lively, tumultuous group activities, quiet moments between two girls, and young people trying to withdraw from the unintentionally tense group dynamics.

Juneco appears to be a complex in-between phase for these teenagers. On the one hand, the home is full of hope and warmth; on the other, there are uncertainties and fears about the future. Still lifes of roses in the garden provide visual moments of tranquility in this infectious and hopeful, but also distressing film about finding a home.