White Shadow

Since 2008, individuals with albinism in Tanzania have been targeted for violence. Traditional healers offer large sums of money for their body parts, which are believed to have magical properties. Between 2008 and 2010, over 200 murders linked to these beliefs were reported. A local saying reflects this grim reality: “Albinos do not die, they just disappear.” This narrative follows Alias, a young albino boy fleeing for his life. After his father’s death, his mother sends him to the city for safety. There, his uncle Kosmos, a truck driver, looks after him. Alias quickly adapts to city life, selling sunglasses, DVDs, and cellphones, but it isn’t long before he confronts the harsh realities of life and the challenges of being different.