Acclaimed Norwegian film maker Margreth Olin's fourth documentary feature is about the Norwegian government's treatment of sole minor asylum seekers, or rather the rule that they are to be sent back just when turning 18, which makes them responsible for their own life. Olin has made a very important movie, where she does not in any way hide that she takes the children's party. She follows several of these kids, until the day they turn 18 and is no longer free to stay in Norway, the world's richest country according to UN surveys.
These kids are orphans which their country of origin won't take responsibility for, and which are kept in asylum camps in Norway, not attended by child care, but special asylum institutions. Except for the uncertainties they feel there, they are treated well, until they turn 18. Then they are to be sent back to their country of origin, as adults, expecting to be killed, as they think themselves. It's a desperate situation, and Olin follows some of them after they are transported out of Norway. Olin takes more responsibility than any other for these kids. No doubt she us very angry here, still making a very profoundly deep and heart wrenching film about kids with no obvious future.
The kids come from Afghanistan, Tibet, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan in Turkey and a lot of African countries. Olin still shows how some of the kids are not treated with the love they should, when it comes to medical and psychological treatment after war traumas in their home country.
I'm simply horrific what Olin unveils here. The evidence I strong, and the treatment is completely horrific. It's shameful to watch, and makes me ashamed of my country. Still this is taking place in many more countries than Norway. In some countries they won't be let in even as 13 or 15 year olds. This is all a clear breach on UN's child rights convention.
Great cinematography by cinematographer Øystein Mamen and a narrative and interviewing voice of Margareth Olin tells the story, leaning all on the boys telling how they are treated, both in Norway, and when being sent back via Greece and Turkey. Olin is on their tail, documenting what happens to some if them.
Once again Olin has made a strong, important documentary, which I hope will be a reason for changes. It's gloomy, of course, this film, not giving much hope, but still it's so important that film makers do these kinds of things. Kudos to Olin, once more.
