Green Border Review: A Powerful and Timely Drama on the Refugee Crisis #moviereview

Green Border is a powerful and timely drama that depicts the plight of refugees trapped on the border between Poland and Belarus, where they face harsh conditions, violence, and indifference from both sides. The film, directed by Agnieszka Holland and written by Maciej Pisuk, Gabriela Lazarkiewicz, and Holland herself, is based on real events that occurred in 2021 and 2022, when Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko used refugees as a weapon to destabilize the European Union and provoke Poland, which had imposed sanctions on his regime.

The film follows the intersecting stories of Julia (Maja Ostaszewska), a psychologist who joins a group of activists to help the refugees; Jan (Tomasz Wlosok), a young border guard who struggles with his conscience and his orders; and a Syrian family led by Bashir (Jalal Altawil) and Leila (Behi Djanati Atai), who are fleeing the civil war in their country and hope to find a safe haven in Europe. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, dangers, and dilemmas, as well as moments of kindness, solidarity, and humanity.

Green Border is a film that does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of the refugee crisis, but also does not resort to sensationalism or melodrama. The film is shot in a realistic and gritty style, with a muted color palette and handheld camera work that create a sense of urgency and intimacy. The film also uses archival footage and news reports to provide context and contrast to the fictional narrative. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Antoni Komasa-Lazarkiewicz, adds to the film’s emotional impact, with a mix of haunting melodies and ambient sounds.

The film’s cast delivers excellent performances, especially the actors who play the refugees, who convey the desperation, fear, and resilience of their characters. Jalal Altawil and Behi Djanati Atai are particularly impressive as the Syrian couple who face unimaginable hardships and sacrifices, but also show love and courage in the face of adversity. Maja Ostaszewska and Tomasz Wlosok are also convincing as the Polish protagonists who are torn between their duty and their morality, and who undergo significant changes throughout the film.

Green Border is a film that challenges the viewer to confront the humanitarian crisis that is happening on Europe’s doorstep, and to question the political and moral implications of the situation. The film does not offer easy answers or solutions, but rather invites the viewer to empathize with the refugees and to reflect on their own values and responsibilities. Green Border is a film that deserves to be seen and discussed, as it raises important and relevant issues that affect not only Poland and Belarus, but the whole world.

Agnieszka Holland is a Polish film and television director and screenwriter, who is known for her political and social themes in her works. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1948, to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother, who were both journalists and activists. She studied film in Prague and worked with famous Polish directors like Krzysztof Zanussi and Andrzej Wajda. She emigrated to France in 1981, before the martial law was imposed in Poland. She has directed many acclaimed films, such as Europa Europa, In Darkness, Spoor, and Green Border, which have received nominations and awards at various international film festivals. She has also written screenplays for films by other directors, such as Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colours trilogy. She has also directed episodes of popular TV series, such as The Wire, Treme, and House of Cards.

The name Green Border is a reference to the border zone between Poland and Belarus, where the film is set. The border is called “green” because it is mostly covered by the Białowieża Forest, one of the largest and most ancient forests in Europe. The forest is home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered European bison, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site1. However, the forest also serves as a barrier and a trap for the refugees who try to cross the border, hoping to find safety and freedom in the European Union. The film shows the contrast between the natural beauty and the human tragedy that take place in the green border, and how the border becomes a symbol of the political and moral crisis that affects both Poland and Belarus, as well as the whole world. The film’s director, Agnieszka Holland, said that the title was inspired by a poem by Polish poet Czesław Miłosz, called “The Green Border”, which was written in 1945, after the end of World War II. The poem expresses the poet’s longing for his homeland, which was then under Soviet occupation, and his nostalgia for the green border that separated Poland from the rest of Europe. Holland said that the poem resonated with her, as she felt that the green border was still relevant today, as a metaphor for the division and isolation that many people experience in the modern world. She also said that the film was a tribute to the refugees who risk their lives to cross the green border, and to the activists who try to help them.

Some of the key takeaways from this movie are:

The movie is a realistic and gripping portrayal of the refugee crisis that is happening on the border between Poland and Belarus, where thousands of people are stuck in a humanitarian emergency, facing violence, hunger, cold, and disease.

The movie shows the different perspectives and dilemmas of the refugees, the border guards, the activists, and the politicians, who are all involved in the complex and controversial situation. The movie does not take sides or offer easy solutions, but rather invites the viewer to empathize with the human stories and to question the political and moral implications of the crisis.

The movie is also a reflection on the history and identity of Poland and Belarus, and how they are affected by their relations with the European Union and Russia. The movie explores the themes of nationalism, democracy, human rights, and solidarity, and how they are challenged and redefined in the context of the current geopolitical conflict.

The movie is inspired by real events that occurred in 2021 and 2022, when Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko used refugees as a weapon to destabilize the European Union and provoke Poland, which had imposed sanctions on his regime. The movie is based on extensive research and interviews with the people who witnessed and experienced the situation first-hand.

The movie is directed by Agnieszka Holland, a renowned Polish film and television director and screenwriter, who is known for her political and social themes in her works. The movie is a collaboration between Polish, Belarusian, and German filmmakers, and features a cast of actors from different countries and backgrounds. The movie has received critical acclaim and awards at various international film festivals.

Such movies are important because they raise awareness and empathy for the people who are suffering and struggling in the world, and who are often ignored or forgotten by the mainstream media and society. Such movies also challenge the viewers to think critically and ethically about the political and social issues that affect not only the refugees, but also the countries and regions that are involved in the conflict and the crisis.

Such movies can have a positive impact by inspiring the viewers to take action and to support the causes and the organizations that are working to help the refugees and to resolve the situation. Such movies can also have a negative impact by provoking anger, hatred, or violence from the people who disagree or oppose the views and the messages of the film. Such movies can also be distorted or manipulated by the people who have ulterior motives or agendas, and who want to use the film as a propaganda tool or a weapon. Therefore, such movies should be watched with an open mind and a critical eye, and should be followed by a dialogue and a debate among the viewers and the filmmakers.

This movie is suitable for anyone who is interested in the topics of refugees, human rights, politics, culture, and history. This movie is also suitable for anyone who enjoys watching realistic and dramatic films that explore the complex and controversial issues that affect the world today. This movie is not suitable for anyone who is sensitive to violence, suffering, or injustice, as the film shows the harsh realities of the refugee crisis and the conflict between Poland and Belarus.

This movie is also not suitable for anyone who is looking for a light-hearted or entertaining film, as the film is serious and emotional, and does not have a happy ending. This movie is a film that requires the viewer to be open-minded and critical, and to engage in a dialogue and a debate after watching it. This movie is a film that shows the power and the responsibility of cinema to tell the stories that matter.

Green Border is a film that deserves to be seen and discussed, as it raises important and relevant issues that affect not only Poland and Belarus, but the whole world. The film is a realistic and gripping portrayal of the humanitarian crisis that is happening on Europe’s doorstep, and a reflection on the history and identity of Poland and Belarus, and how they are affected by their relations with the European Union and Russia. The film is directed by Agnieszka Holland, a renowned Polish film and television director and screenwriter, who is known for her political and social themes in her works. The film is a collaboration between Polish, Belarusian, and German filmmakers, and features a cast of actors from different countries and backgrounds.

The film has received critical acclaim and awards at various international film festivals. Green Border is a film that challenges the viewer to confront the humanitarian crisis that is happening on the border between Poland and Belarus, and to question the political and moral implications of the situation. The film does not offer easy answers or solutions, but rather invites the viewer to empathize with the refugees and to reflect on their own values and responsibilities. Green Border is a film that shows the power and the responsibility of cinema to tell the stories that matter.