directed by Želimir Žilnik, documentary, 94 min, eng subtitles
written by Želimir Žilnik
After dramatic journeys through the war zones and countries devastated by poverty, illegal immigrants and asylum seekers arrive in Serbia. Here, people coming from North Africa and Middle East are placed in asylum centres where they have to adapt to the new social and existential circumstances. Most of them don’t see Serbia as their final destination, but more as a short stop on their way to the countries of the European Union.
The documentary follows the individual stories of a few of the illegal immigrants and gives insight into the socio-political context of this ongoing drama as it reaches its culmination.
The film explores the latter focus of the renowned director – the destruction of social values in post-transition societies in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the problems of refugees and migration. Accompanied by this year’s construction of a wall between Serbia and Hungary, the position of immigrants brings us back to the question of what has happened to the values and freedom gained after the Berlin wall was torn down.
Followed by a debate on immigration.
Awards
Zagrebdox IDFF 2014
Wiesbaden GoEast IFF 2015 (Award for Promoting Cultural Diferences)
Belgrade Documentary FF 2015 (Best Film in cathegory Frontyard)
With the support of the Serbian Embassy in Brussels