Felipe Romero Beltrán spent three years documenting the experiences of nine Moroccan migrants living in a government facility in Spain. His photos, which are part of a project called Life in Limbo, show the challenges and hopes of these young men who left their homes in search of a better future.
Beltrán, who is originally from Colombia, said he wanted to humanize the migrants and challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that often surround them. He said he was inspired by his own experience of being an outsider in a foreign country, as well as by the works of Franz Kafka, whose novels depict the absurdity and alienation of modern society.
The photographer gained access to the facility, which is located in Madrid, through a friend who worked there as a social worker. He said he built trust and friendship with the migrants, who shared their stories, dreams and frustrations with him. He also accompanied them to their appointments, classes and outings, capturing their daily lives with his camera.
Beltrán said he wanted to show the contrast between the bureaucratic and impersonal system that regulates the migrants’ lives and their individual personalities and aspirations. He said he also wanted to highlight the resilience and courage of these young men, who face uncertainty and discrimination in their quest for integration.
The photos have been exhibited in several venues in Spain and abroad, and have received positive feedback from both the public and the critics. Beltrán said he hopes his project will raise awareness and empathy for the migrants’ situation, and will encourage dialogue and solidarity among different cultures.
