I think not. I will preface this by recommending anyone who wants to find out more on this subject, to watch Fire At Sea (2016) which covers the migrant crisis in greater detail and length.
First the content: an account of two men in Greece in the Coast Guard. They have seen a large number of refugees coming by sea on poorly constructed substitutes for boats (generally). This should not be news to anyone. Most news outlets have been covering the dead children washing up on beaches, crying mothers, and families packed in tents for quite some time now.
With that being said, yes these two men are good human beings. It is an enormous tragedy what these families are experiencing and the measures being taken to leave the danger back at home.
Documentaries usually cover material that is lesser known, from the dark places in society that most are unaware of. It's a way of helping people better understand a situation (generally) or elicit some sort of awareness previously not widely held (at least for my ratings).
But I think everyone understands how bad this situation is. In fact, this is a crisis in many countries around the world. I didn't feel any different. It didn't change my views or thinking differently about the situation. I therefore see no immediate value in having watched it. As I've said before, the situation was awful. I am aware who these people are and the extent they went to escape. That has not changed.
I would also speculate that "4.1 Miles" has garnered much of its attention because of the recent Oscar nomination. A nomination which likely is the result of being politically relevant.
My point is not to discredit the current situation, but rather to express frustration. The only reason I am here right now is out of habit for watching something new (go to IMDb and add/review/rate).
It's too short for something that wants to address the refugee crisis. This has been covered in extensive detail on the west (that's right other reviews, the west is well aware of the situation). I give 6 stars entirely because of the brave men depicted, and the dangerous environment at sea with high winds and water. The 4 stars have been removed because of the efforts of the director being lazy (in my opinion).
If this subject was so important, perhaps they should have invested more than 26 minutes of screen time to it.
----- 6/10 STARS -------- Review by Searsino -----
First the content: an account of two men in Greece in the Coast Guard. They have seen a large number of refugees coming by sea on poorly constructed substitutes for boats (generally). This should not be news to anyone. Most news outlets have been covering the dead children washing up on beaches, crying mothers, and families packed in tents for quite some time now.
With that being said, yes these two men are good human beings. It is an enormous tragedy what these families are experiencing and the measures being taken to leave the danger back at home.
Documentaries usually cover material that is lesser known, from the dark places in society that most are unaware of. It's a way of helping people better understand a situation (generally) or elicit some sort of awareness previously not widely held (at least for my ratings).
But I think everyone understands how bad this situation is. In fact, this is a crisis in many countries around the world. I didn't feel any different. It didn't change my views or thinking differently about the situation. I therefore see no immediate value in having watched it. As I've said before, the situation was awful. I am aware who these people are and the extent they went to escape. That has not changed.
I would also speculate that "4.1 Miles" has garnered much of its attention because of the recent Oscar nomination. A nomination which likely is the result of being politically relevant.
My point is not to discredit the current situation, but rather to express frustration. The only reason I am here right now is out of habit for watching something new (go to IMDb and add/review/rate).
It's too short for something that wants to address the refugee crisis. This has been covered in extensive detail on the west (that's right other reviews, the west is well aware of the situation). I give 6 stars entirely because of the brave men depicted, and the dangerous environment at sea with high winds and water. The 4 stars have been removed because of the efforts of the director being lazy (in my opinion).
If this subject was so important, perhaps they should have invested more than 26 minutes of screen time to it.
----- 6/10 STARS -------- Review by Searsino -----