La Maline237 Unveils "Alone Here" – A Shocking Film About the Reality of International Students

Guest on Festibec TV, Cameroonian content creator La Maline 237 presented Alone Here, her first full-length cinematic project, a committed film that explores the psychological, financial, and social challenges faced by international students in the West, particularly in Canada.

Known for her humor on social media, La Maline 237 — whose journey has been shaped by comedy since childhood — states that making people laugh has always been more than a pastime. “I knew that comedy was part of me, I couldn’t ignore it,” she confides. At a very young age, she decided to follow this path despite an initial education in logistics and transport, encouraged by her older brother who urged her to turn her passion into a concrete project.

In 2021, after entering university and experiencing her first taste of financial independence, she officially launched her content creation journey. Armed with just an iPhone, she began publishing humorous videos, including one scene that went viral — a car ride full of unexpected twists — which brought her into the public eye. “It’s that video that really launched me,” she admits.

Living in Canada for a year and a half as a business management student, La Maline 237 discovered a reality harsher than expected. While her personal integration remained relatively stable, the stories of other students deeply affected her. “I met students who were under enormous stress: paying for school, rent, eating, and studying at the same time. That’s when I had my realization,” she explains. From these experiences emerged Alone Here, a film blending observed and lived experiences without falling into sensationalism.

The project took on another dimension after a period of illness and emotional vulnerability. “I told myself that my story and those of other students could serve to raise awareness,” she says. She then set aside another script to focus on this film, with the clear goal of “showing what we really go through.”

To structure her work, La Maline 237 completed a two-month screenwriting course. “This training helped me a lot. There were things I didn’t understand at all before,” she emphasizes, expressing gratitude to her aunt who funded the course.

The cast brings together well-known figures from Cameroonian cinema, including President Chop Chop and young actress Emilda Dongo. The selection was based on authenticity and understanding of the story. “I wanted real people, capable of feeling the story,” she clarifies. Filming took place between Cameroon and Canada, with separate teams chosen for their professionalism and artistic sensitivity.

Financially, the film represents an investment estimated between 14,000 and 18,000 Canadian dollars. This budget was made possible through sponsors, personal support, and mobilization around the teaser. “I really received a lot of encouragement,” she explains, citing several contributors while affirming that she made no compromises against her values.

Beyond the cinematic work, Alone Here aims to deliver a message. “It’s not just a film. We, immigrants, need encouragement more than pressure, especially from family,” she insists, referring to the often unrealistic financial expectations. The film will be screened in Cameroon during the summer to raise awareness among families and young candidates for immigration.

The premiere is scheduled for December 21 in Montreal, with nearly 450 seats available and high demand already recorded. Additional screenings will follow in Quebec City. The evening will be enriched with artistic performances and tributes to the project’s partners.

Determined, organized, and resolutely forward-looking, La Maline 237 sees Alone Here as a starting point. “It’s a passion. Every year, I want to progress in cinema,” she affirms. Her final message resonates as a guiding principle: “If you want to do something, don’t wait. There’s no perfect moment. Start.”

A film, a voice, and above all, a reality brought to light, reminding that behind the dreams of elsewhere, many feel, at least for a time, alone here.