Green Border (2023) User Reviews

A movie that everyone should watch

[yensgf · 6/10 · 2 October 2023]

Even before the premiere of this movie, there was a lot of drama going on already. Everyone was reviewing it even though all they saw was a tiny bit of trailer. Sometimes, not even that. Even polish government started to make their own propaganda to make people believe it was anti-polish movie and all of that just so they could gain more voters before election that will happen soon. In some cities, it's even banned to be played in cinemas. That's how current government's world works and will work if they win again. No free speech, full censorship of anything that may be offensive towards government and many many more. But it's not about it.

Movie itself is build on politics, so it's hard to not talk about them. Though, I don't think that Holland wanted to attack the army itself, as some of the people think she did, but rather the corruption and how government overused their power. How they forced people to act like there was no human rights, like those people on the other side of the fence were nothing. This movie isn't about letting illegal migrants into the country, but about respect and right treating. We're all humans after all, but what was happening on the border was really wrong.

It's not a documentary, but a lot of things that happened in the movie had place in real life. There was a lot of videos, photos and even articles saying about those horrible things happening. And all of it just because of the government, who wants to make their own people scare and be afraid of other nationalities. Movie was also about our own feelings, how we see the world that surrounds us. It's always hard to say about things, that are uncomfortable, but true. But they have to be said and we can't just let those high positioned people get away with it without any consequences. That's not how this world should work.

I was following the news back then and I'm really glad that such movie was made and is showing somehow the reality of what was happening on the border. But the truth is, what media were allowed to show us and what is the real truth of how it really looked like, is two different things and for people, who are open-minded those two things should matter to draw your own conclusions and based on that make your own opinion.

As usual the truth is in the middle

[Radu_A · 5/10 · 19 December 2023]

This is arguably the most controversial European film this year and was targeted by the Polish government as being fascist because it showcases the fascist methods this government has employed. Director Agnieszka Holland, the most important living Polish director who won the Academy Award for the German Holocaust film "Europa Europa" in 1990, became the victim of a vicious trolling campaign. It's laudable that she took such a risk at age 75, but at the same time, the film is also extremely one-sided and juxtaposes poor helpless refugees and honorable Christian-minded activists with fascist Polish and Belarusian border police.

The reality is, as usual, in the middle: Europe cannot harbor all of the estimated 300 million people at risk in the world, and the laws to regulate illegal immigration have been put at place to protect society as a whole. Angela Merkel - the most overrated politician of all time - did Europe a huge disservice by creating pull factors resulting in a permanent humanitarian crisis, which puts those who are tasked with enforcing the law under constant pressure. The film completely refuses to address this.

By doing a Cinema Verité approach with a Good vs. Evil angle, Holland ignores the existential crisis the European Union is in (and which it most likely will not survive). The nod towards Ukraine in the end would have been an opportunity to point out the difference between those for whom political asylum is intended - war refugees - and those who are using the system for a chance of a better life far away from their corrupt governments. But Holland sticks to her images of noble poor and evil authorities. So while the campaign against her is odious, that doesn't make her agitprop simplistic film any better.

Impossible to make an opinion based on comments !

[ifasmilecanhelp · 7/10 · 5 October 2023]

First of all, I've to say that I couldn't watch the movie, up to now.

I write this comment to complain about IMDb policy !

I really wonder how many one day comment accounts are on IMDb ? 70% or more on my guess !

How many times did I come to this site, for any search ? Thousand of times !

Usually I read a few comments, and in the same time check what did the commentator write previously.

And you can guess what happens, so many time : only 1 comment in years... newly accounts... and so on !

Why is IMDb not cleaning its site from trolls and only one day comments within years ?

My simple answer ? It doesn't care !

Made by two passionate people (if I remember well), the site became a huge enterprise, not really caring anylonger about movies, but mainly about cash !

Why not guys ? It's your choice !

Therefore to pretend IMDb has millions of accounts is both true and fake !

Sorry folks, you won't like what I'm writing !

IMDb is now only "business as usual"... Will this pass censorship ?

I'll find out about how real is the 1st US amendment, "Freedom of Speech", at least on IMDb !

NB My rating is based on the benefit of the doubt. Once I'll have seen the movie, I guess I will write another real review, and possibly give another rating !

The stats for this movie, based on 15 "reviews", : 12 (!!!) were made by someone (?) who only wrote one comment and one total rating... (new accounts or old ones).

1 acc/review and 5 total ratings, within 13 years.

1 acc with 130 ratings, with one year.

1 acc with 2700 ratings, within a year.

My little understanding and conclusion : 2 accounts are real... For the 12 or 13 left acc/reviews, I let you draw your own conclusion !

Great film

[luisromerosuarez · 9/10 · 2 October 2023]

Very complicated topic treated in a masterful way. Committed film, so much so, that many purely political comments and ratings have appeared probably from ¨reviewers¨ who I doubt have even seen the film (calling it boring is simply absurd, giving 1 point in 10 is absurd).

It is difficult not to respond emotionally to the harshness of what is presented to us. Self-security, fear, comfort in the face of the insecurity and suffering of others. Some heroes without hesitation align themselves with those who suffer, others not so much out of comfort or risk and others are simply bad people who take advantage of every situation to bring out the worst in themselves. Whether they are Poles, Belarusians or Muslims is simply circumstantial. Poor people used as cannon food, this is happening in our true world and we are lucky to have people who reflect this with their artwork.

The actors are very good, the script, photography and direction are very good. It is, above all, a very complete film that keeps the viewer in tension and takes them out of their comfort zone.

Important and Profoundly Moving

[cardinalfang-24356 · 10/10 · 23 September 2023]

I've given Zielona Granica ( Polish name , I'm Polish ) a full ten to counteract trolls who already downgraded the film to 2 stars on the Polish site Filmweb before it was even released. As mentioned I live in Poland and have been aware and mildly concerned by the eastern border crisis without really involving myself too much emotionally in the midst of much other domestic political madness . This has been remedied by Ms. Holland's film which presents the story of Immigrants escaping persecution in a human perspective - directly showing us in sections the lives and actions of Border Guards, Activists and of course the fleeing Families themselves. Now I can see the human tragedy far transcends my own domestic and delicate political sensibilities . The powerful way the stories are told were able to touch and anger me and I was moved to tears more than once during the course of the film. I can now relate to similar scenes in other European locations and the thousands of tragedies occurring daily a testament to the Directors powerful film making. I left the Cinema feeling sad and helpless but definitely more cognizant and in awe of the fine way the Film had been made.

Criticism for the film in Poland ( unseen ) has come from the Government side and the film is being used as a tool in an ugly political battle during the run in to an election . Armies of trolls and politicians are lining up to lambast Ms Hollands film without having seen it - objecting to the way the Polish state via it's Border Guards is portrayed. The film does show scenes of Police and the Border functionaries in a cruel light ( based on real life testimonies I think ) but there are two sides shown and you can see that almost like the immigrants themselves they too are just helpless pieces trapped in this tragic international affair. Our President himself has called anyone going to see the Film a Pig ( ! ) which will give people outside of Poland an idea of the scale of the row this film has caused here.

Oink !

I hope that once the politics and hate have evaporated that Zielona Granica's importance will continue to be recognized and Ms Holland always valued as a fine film maker.

Our election is weeks away , was it the right time to release such a controversial film ? Time will tell but congratulations to everyone involved in making this film.

Important and needed piece of cinematography

[MothmanPL · 9/10 · 1 October 2023]

At the begining i must say, i'm from Poland and i was very curious about this movie, as i was pretty familiar with volunteers stories, i had an opportunity to talk with few of them, a few medics and just regular people that wanted to help. Outside all the media coverage both private and national, i've read a lot of memories and interviews with people, both with volunteers' as well as the border guards and people living in the area. Some of them were really brutal, raw and just... sickening.

This movie is something i wanted to check out, to see if all the criticsm in (mostly far right) media was justified. And i'm really happy i checked it myself.

The cinema i was watching the movie in, was pretty much full, except for the first 3-4 rows, and the movie ended, everyone was just quiet. Like if everybody needed a minute to think. People only started talking in the main hall / outisde of the cinema.

In my opinion movie mixes some of the real events with a bit of fake scenarios, some scenes were probably a bit exaggerated, but on the other hand, seeing photos and videos that were recorded on the real border, i think it's a good move by the creators of the movie.

I believe that movies like "The Green Border" are highly needed in our society. Society that often listen to only just one side of the story, without even trying to hear what others have to say. That's what all the buzz surrounding this movie came from. Just a lot of people, that didn't even seen it, criticise it to gain something. Especially now, right before elections in Poland.

Putting politics aside... It's just a good movie. With a very good acting, pretty good cinematography and remarkable importance for everyone, who's not aware of the humanitarian crisis, happening to this day at Polish-Belarusian border.

To summarize... I think this movie is for everyone, who's not afraid of criticism of their beloved party, state services or his own morals. This movie may leave you with some heavy emotions, thoughts and it's deafinately not an easy movie to watch. But i trully belive, everybody should check it on his own, with open mind and being ready to hear and see uncomfortable truth.

Poses critical questions

[grrrlzserwis · 8/10 · 25 September 2023]

I won't deny that I was prompted to watch the film right after the Polish premiere by how extremists in the government try to use it to their advantage by throwing around statements that are subject to Godwin's law in normal discourse, which at the same time obscures the message and power of the picture. The second reason was my interest in the subject matter covered - for the past two years I have been hearing about the events that have been fictionalized in this powerful and emotionally stirring film. The situation in Ukraine, Belarus, the constant information war and disinformation on the part of Belarus and Russia, the visa scandal in which the government is involved, the dying refugees in the border area between Poland and Belarus.

The visual layer of the film is flawless. The story is told in an intriguing, engaging way, and there are several memorable moments, including some dialogues that, curiously enough, show the surprising self-irony of the middle class supporting the neoliberal opposition. The script and acting were not always flawless, although this did not detract too much from the overall reception of the film, as the film defends itself primarily through its imagery. It is truly unforgettable. I recommend it from the bottom of my heart.

The most important polish movie of the year

[wojtekszajna · 8/10 · 24 September 2023]

Agnieszka Holland uncompromisingly exposes the lies of the Polish government. In her latest film, she shows the drama of refugees from the Middle East who, deceived by intermediaries, have spent the rest of their savings in search of a better life. In the film we follow the fate of a refugee family, border guards and activists. The picture shows the cruelty of the Belarusian military, as well as Polish border guards blindly following the orders of their superiors. The film focuses primarily on the drama of the refugees, but does not overlook the internal problems of the border guards, who not only suffer from remorse, but also from the enormous psychological burden that accompanies any service. These people are also victims of the brazen political game played by the Polish authorities. An important, difficult, must-see film!

it's about HUMANITY

[mariuszostrowski-poland · 10/10 · 24 September 2023]

I am Polish, and I suppose like many Poles (Europeans, citizens of the world - put whatever you want here), I was so far rather loosely aware of what was (and still) happening at the Polish-Belarusian border. If you WANT TO KNOW, watch this movie.

Some people in Poland might (and will) say, oh come on - that move is nothing more than politics and propaganda (especially since it is being released in cinemas in Poland just three weeks prior to our parliamentary elections). I'm saying - go and watch it, and make your own judgement.

But most importantly, I dare to say that if there was one movie that you were allowed to watch on a topic of HUMANITY, then this is the one.

It's about that we are all the same, no matter where we come from, what gods do we believe into, what color of skin we have, and what music we adore (you will find it all in the movie).

It's about helping other humans, because they are humans, and not just illegal immigrants (which is who they are, but that doesn't mean they are not humans).

It's also about becoming human, even if all circumstances around you tell you - "when in Rome, do as Romans do". You'd think I will call out the psychologist? No, I am taking about a young Polish border guard. Think about him. How difficult it was for him to become and (as can be seen later in a move) stay human.

What else can I tell you about the movie?

Wonderful dynamic scenes in forest by Tomasz Naumiuk.

Great actor skills of Maja Ostaszewska.

And of course, Mrs. Agnieszka Holland herself. Invisible, but you can "feel" she's there.

Oh, and by the way - a few last few words in the scene with Maciek Stuhr ("young Stuhr" as we call him in Poland) are simply outrageous. They can only be compared with these famous words, which his father ("old Stuhr") said in "Seksmisja" movie: "Let's go east, there must be some cavillation out there" :-). Those of you who are not Polish, might not catch subtlety of both.

Don't forget to take some handkerchiefs. It's also a sad movie.

Brutally honest, hard hitting and topical movie

[rakeshroy31 · 10/10 · 5 October 2023]

I had the privilege to watch this amazing movie at NYFF in a large auditorium full of people. The screening was introduced by Agnieszka herself to a standing ovation.

It was a realistic introspection on a fundamental question ... are all human beings equal ? The answer is unfortunately no. The color of the skin, your religion plays a big part in how you will be treated in a new place where you are looking for refuge. The contrast between the Ukraine and Belorussian border cannot be more further apart. For the dark skinned refugees, we see pregnant mothers losing their child due to brutal abuse in the hands of the border guards, kids and elderly people dying whereas the pets are even treated with dignity for the Ukrainian refugees.

We hear about these stories in the news but the whole catastrophe was solemnly brought to life here. It is a difficult movie to watch. But we left with hope when the entire audience stood up and clapped for 10 mins at the end of the screening.

Incredible film, a horror but real

[tomaszmbmb · 10/10 · 14 January 2024]

People created this hell to other people. I am from Poland, but never supported what was happening. We should remain human despite how difficult it is. We can fight the evil but distinguish evil from human tragedy. There is no simple answer what to do with all the illegal immigration. We can not allow all immigrants but we are also not allowed to let them die like animals, just because we do not want to let them in. We have forgotten that other nations also helped us in the past. The whole Europe does not know how to behave, but there are always some solutions, only more should be done to find them.

Masterpiece

[sanja-sinobad-665-765224 · 10/10 · 13 December 2023]

This movie was very moving and showed complexities of illegal immigration from viewpoints of all parties involved. Despair of people fleeing their homes in search of safety and normalcy is palpable. Border agents are portrayed in harsh light but dealing with a stressful jobs , they are suffering too. Activists are brave and relentless in finding ways to help in any way. Movie was made in black and white, which made it look even more realistic and there are some powerful images throughout the movie that stay with you. Acting was great and directing superb.

I watched it during AFI EU film festival and by coincidence with another great movie on immigration Il capitano. Highly recommend both of them.

Masterpiece of cinematography

[jareklimas · 10/10 · 26 November 2023]

Agnieszka Holland consistently delivers. I adore this film, even though it was challenging to watch. It's an incredibly compassionate and empathetic portrayal!

Every actor delivered a compelling performance, portraying real, authentic individuals entangled in a humanitarian crisis and political turmoil, all within a broader geopolitical context. The use of black-and-white imagery intensified the drama.

Possibly, it resonates more with Poles, given our nuanced understanding of the political landscape and a deep familiarity with our history. The film leaves lingering moral dilemmas and unanswered questions, adding to its thought-provoking nature.

For sure an important movie

[annapavlik · 8/10 · 26 October 2023]

I loved the different perspectives this movie shown, at first tho i was scared that they would show all guards and people there as bad ones. It is not all black and white like that. There was some things that this movie omitted, but i think the message still is valid. We should all be treated in humanly way, you know. As a sensitive person this movie hit me hard, the pregnant woman scene, like WHO can be heartless like that. I am also big fan of french music, so i loved 'Mourir mille fois' in the soundtrack. Anyway, if u think about watching this movie, than i think its a great way of spending sad autumn afternoon. For sure you will think about this movie for a while. ( If you dont find feelings, emotions etc. Interesting than maybe dont go, cos you will not get the point and probably you'll be bored). Have a nice day people :)

a must see for the sake of truth

[andreea_nastasa · 10/10 · 9 March 2024]

Agnieszka Holland rock's. I loved this film. It's incredibly compassionate and empathetic trough the situation. I'm from Romania... and I'm an activist , for human rights... we have the same stories here, with all kinds of refugees... for all kind of reasons... People are arriving from Bulgaria or trough Ukraine , Romania is saving people from mountains when they call 112 that they get lost and so on ...we helped Russians to pass trough, because they were really refugees and they get asylum and safety. Here the problems are the mafia who is trafficking some of these people and the stories that they teach them to repeat...and the greed of the traffickers and guard ...here the bad guys are the Hungarians who will send them back. At least Romania is safe for them... Now with the Ukraine and the Russian scare ... we became more aware, that other people have ...all kind of emergency...an this movie will make you understand humanity and fatigue and love... in our NGO we decided, just don't take anybody home ...but we had the shelter until December 2023.

Don't mind bad user reviews - essential movie!

[v-kubilius · 9/10 · 26 March 2024]

Quick note on the low rating - this movie was targeted by Polish government as anti-patriotic, hense sole people saw it fit to try and bomb the reviews. The movie itself is absolutely gut wrenching to watch, but is absolutely a must watch. The movie raises important questions about the migrant crisis in Europe and the double standards we hold against people of different religions, different languages and races. I honestly lost myself during the movie and watched it as a documentary - the acting, camera work are absolutely fantastic, while the drama unfolding in front of you is sadly still happening on a daily basis across many borders globally. Watch it!

Raw and Real

[sinscopefilms · 8/10 · 7 May 2024]

Green Border (2023) is a heavy, emotionally charged film. Divided into four distinct parts, the movie unfolds entirely in black and white, employing shaky, handheld camera work that gives it a raw and immersive feel. Although there are a few shots that remain steady, the camera's unsteady movement primarily emphasizes the feeling of urgency and fragility that is inherent in the story.

The film is an intense human experience that feels unrefined, capturing the harsh realities of seeking asylum, politics, and the moral dilemmas surrounding humanity and human rights. Its structure is clear, providing a sense of location and time throughout the film. The editing is meticulously timed, though some scenes could benefit from being longer to deepen their impact.

The score is almost absent, save for a melancholic, slow violin orchestra that occasionally surfaces. The sound design relies on natural elements, incorporating background noises and environmental sounds to ground the viewer in the grim reality of the characters. The absence of a traditional soundtrack adds to the film's raw, relatable nature.

What sets this film apart is the authenticity of the performances. There's no acting, just reacting, making the emotions on screen feel incredibly genuine. The story itself is fragile, touching. The writing is thought-provoking, especially in the third and fourth acts. It doesn't shy away from showing the truth about the situation.

While the pacing is great in the first two acts, it drags in the latter half, particularly in the 3rd and 4th act. The tension peaks in the first three acts but wanes a bit slightly in the final act. Nevertheless, it still depicts the horrors faced in the film. The film overall is a process, with no clear resolution, leaving viewers emotionally drained and empathetic toward those in difficult situations.

Green Border is an untypical film that challenges viewers with its raw portrayal of human struggle. Its handheld cinematography, authentic performances immerse the audience in a fragile, emotionally draining journey. The story's moral ambiguity, coupled with its thought-provoking writing, leaves a lasting impact.

Boring long movie

[hniewiad · 1/10 · 23 September 2023]

While I can appreciate the cinematic talent of Polish master director Agnieszka Holland, her latest offering, "Zielona granica", leaves much to be desired. It is one thing to create a film that shines a light on the plight of refugees and the political machinations surrounding them, but it's entirely another to deliver it in such a dreary, heavy-handed manner. Instead of providing an insightful and nuanced view, the movie descends into a vortex of melancholy and desolation.

The narrative purports to be grounded in reality, based on the harrowing journey of a Syrian family striving for sanctuary. However, instead of presenting an objective perspective, Holland's lens seems tinted with an evident bias. There's an underlying tone that makes the film feel more like propaganda than an honest account. The characters, especially the officials and activists, are rendered with a brush that paints them in extreme shades of black and white, depriving the story of the depth it deserves. The so-called "complex political portrayal" leans heavily on one side, making it hard to take the film's claims of factual grounding seriously.

Furthermore, the exploitation of the Syrian family's suffering for political ends is disturbing on multiple fronts. While the film's intention might be to criticize such manipulations, it inadvertently comes off as using the same tragic events for cinematic gain, blurring the line between exposé and exploitation.

In conclusion, "Zielona granica" is a somber and morose piece that adds little value to the discourse on the refugee crisis. Its one-sided portrayal feels more like a disservice to the very people it claims to champion. Definitely not worth the time for those looking for a comprehensive, balanced view of the situation.

Images say more than 1000 words

[frankde-jong · 8/10 · 7 May 2024]

"Green border" shows immigration from a different perspective than is slowly becoming mainstream in Europe, being it Poland (the land in which the film is situated), Holland (in which the anti-immagration party PVV won the election of november 2023) or England (that want to send refugees to Rwanda).

The situation on the Eastern border of Poland is different in this respect that the Belarus of Lukashenko uses refugees as a weapon against the European Union (EU). They lure refugees to Belarus with the promise that the transit to the EU (i.e. Poland) is without any difficulty, which of course is not the case.

"Green border" is a documentary like film that shows the story from different perspectives. These perspectives are those of a Syrian family, Polish border guards and Polish activists.

The episodes about the Syrian family and the border guards are heavy stuf and the episode about the Polish activists is desperately needed to bring back some confidence in humanity.

The conservative Polish government was very angry about the movie and even called director Agnieszka Holland a Nazi. This is of course ridiculous. The anger was most probably directed against the episode about the Polish border guards, but even these episode is not totally negative as its shows that the border guard these episode is about has increasing psychological difficulties with the job he is doing (pushing back refugees to Belarus). The episode is indeed very critical about his superior, telling the border guards that the refugees are not human beings but bullets fired by Lukashenko.

One perspective that is missing is the Belarussian one. One can criticize the harsh behaviour of the Polish border guards but there can be no doubt abourt the fact that Belarus started using the refugees as pawns in a cynical political power struggle.

Also from Western Europe we have to be carefull with too much criticism. The push backs on land by the Polish border guards are illegal, but what about the push backs on sea by Frontex? Moreover, we have easy talk, not bordering on a cynical regime like that of Lukashenko.

Images say more than 1000 words and in this respect the film is in my opinion a must see for those who want to understand more about the immagration crisis. In the Netherlands I had the feeling that the film was in roulation very short. I had to hurry to visit the last performance and was accompanied by only one fellow visitor.

To conclude one point of critic. In the epilogue the film shows how welcome Ukrainian refugees were when in february 2022 their country was invaded by Russia, strongly suggesting that there is a racist element in which refugeest are being supported and which not. I would like to qualify this suggestion. In the first place the aggressor in the Ukranian war is also a threat to Poland, unlike the aggressors in the other conflicts generating refugees (such as Assad in Syria). In the second place has the loyalty with Ukraine cooled down considerably (not in words but in deeds) after two years of war.

The film is extremely boring and the acting is very exaggerated.

[kbdesigns-621-176470 · 2/10 · 25 September 2023]

I watched it out of curiosity because there was a lot of buzz around it. Ultimately, the film does not introduce anything new except playing on emotions around extreme situations that are supposed to tug at the heartstrings. Weak plot and poor acting, as if the film was created just for the sake of being created and arousing extreme emotions.

At certain moments, the situations are so absurd that they are downright offensive to an intelligent person. It's a pity that cinema has become a tool in the hands of politicians, apparently these are the times we live in.

To anyone wondering if it's worth seeing, I recommend spending your time on something more constructive.

Thank You for Your Service

[jakubwale · 1/10 · 25 September 2023]

First I want to thank all Polish Soldiers, Police- and Border Gurad Officers. We love You Guys.

And now the movie: it is very boring, its hard not to fall asleep. I remember those events and there was much more action like: stone throwing against polish soldiers and officers, destroying of border fence, Belarus agents threatening migrants to cross the border, there were also some hitting with the shovel I remember. One can easily find short or long movies about those events on the internet.

Maybe one bright sight is showing how some people misunderstood those events. I mean there were actually people who thought that Lukashenko and Putin have not planned it all as a part of some kind of hybrid war. So that's good that it shows the stupidity of some people like the director of that movie. But it's not worth 2 stars.

Please don't believe the trolls who deliberately give hight note (eg. 9/10) on this movie. Those are not objective opinions.

[hypocist · 2/10 · 24 September 2023]

It's an election year in Poland, and the film was released 3 weeks before the parliamentary elections, for obvious reasons..

Accidental, ill-considered mercy, as people like Holland see it, is short-term and can inflame the situation in the long run. Let's give in to the blackmailer Putin and let 1,000 people in, it will bring in another 10,000, then 100,000, until finally the state becomes inefficient and subordinated to Putin. The refugees will turn out to be his Wunderwaffe, which he did not find in his rockets. You know, the Gerasimov doctrine: you don't need tanks to win wars.

Do we become criminals when we shoot innocent people whom a blackmailer uses as a weapon against us?

No, the blackmailer bears full responsibility.

We got a propaganda film in which the border guard is evil and the refugee is poor, with the faces of children, women and old people. We will not see a young aggressive man who wants to go to Germany.

In the film we will not learn that activists take money for smuggling from the border.

ghastly

[kamila-39578 · 1/10 · 29 September 2023]

A tendentious film with clichéd dialogues that, in its naivety, surpasses anything I've seen so far. Extremely boring, overlong and dark with no information value. It's poorly acted and has tiring camera work. A third-rate film that treats and trivializes an important topic of smuggling gangs in a harmful and grotesque way. You can tell straight away that the director and the actors didn't make any effort to do any research. Instead, the director tries to ride on the audience's emotions in an inept way, hoping that they will be simple enough to be influenced. What's next from the director, a film glorifying human trafficking?

Anyone who is interested in current migration issues, works in this context or knows something about it will run screaming from the cinema. Absolute waste of time.

Could be a good amateur fiction movie

[maciejgodziek · 2/10 · 26 September 2023]

Checked it because apparently it's a hot subject recent days. Not worth time spent. Actors play is at medium, stiff and soulless, dialogues seems to be written purely for propaganda purposes, and because of that plot is extremely flat and predictable. If that would be a amateur apocalyptic fiction move posted on YT I would give it a solid 9/10. For professional work? It should not been released. One extra star for camera operator, some shots are rally sweet. Heard rumors that movie was made in under 25 days, and some actors were not paid at all, while that would justify poor play and weak plot, i see no justification to make it public in this state.

politically driven

[Nostrama · 1/10 · 7 February 2024]

Im from poland, and much as i love that our film industry can do some good work, this one tries to push the right message at the wrong time

before this day and age a movie following refugees would have been about actual refugees who genuinely need help, but nowadays what we have is a surge of economic migrants abusing the refugee status simply to come to europe, and a movie like this comes across merely to make people feel guilty and turn a blind eye to the situation especially with our own neighbor belorussia deliberately trying to weaponize migrants in front of the media to make us look worse than them and their ally russia during this war they started

i feel sorry for the small number of actual refugees caught up in this debacle who deserve help being overshadowed by the illegal migrants causing them a bad image, and this movie was made to try deceiving people by painting them all up in a more positive light.