Cast
View AllJalal Altawil
as Bashir
Maja Ostaszewska
as Julia
Behi Djanati Atai
as Leila
Tomasz Włosok
as Jan
Mohamad Al Rashi
as Grandfather
Dalia Naous
as Amina
Jaśmina Polak
as 'Żuku'
Monika Frajczyk
as Marta
Maciej Stuhr
as Bogdan
Agata Kulesza
as Basia
Aboubakr Bensaïhi
as Ahmed
Michał Zieliński
as Sasza
Joely Mbundu
as African Woman
Malwina Buss
as Kasia
Piotr Stramowski
as Maciek
Crew
Director
- Agnieszka Holland
Writer
- Maciej Pisuk
- Agnieszka Holland
- Gabriela Łazarkiewicz-Sieczko
Producer
- Fred Bernstein
- Agnieszka Holland
- Marcin Wierzchosławski
Reviews
CinemaSerf
This is the second film I've seen this week with Tomasz Wlosok. Earlier, he was in Julia von Heinz's tragic-comedy "Treasure" (2024) with a far lighter and fluffier role than he has here, as a Polish border guard. He is part of a team charged with repelling refugees trying to cross into the EU from Belarus. On that front, we are introduced to travellers who have been lulled into thinking their flight from Syria and Afghanistan will be a dawdle. An expensive one, yes, but a straightforward flight to Minsk on a comfortable Turkish aircraft then a bus to Poland thence on to wherever. Sadly, they soon realise that their bought-and-paid-for journey merely inserts them into a game of human table tennis between the military on both sides of a border - only it's coiled barbed wire rather than a net. It doesn't matter what their predicament - injured, pregnant, old, vulnerable - they are systematically robbed, starved and dehydrated. There is some hope for them, though, as Polish activists try to help them and get them on the register for asylum. That, however, requires that they be reported to the police and then to the guard and so we are back with handsome Tomasz ("Jan") again. Their journey is riddled with peril and that's harrowing at times, but somehow not quite so difficult to stomach as the behaviour of the people in uniform bending or breaking the rules from above to ensure a minimum of these people ever made it past the forests of the 250-odd miles of border. Politics plays it's part too - the government of one nation accused of using these people as "live bullets", the other of sowing seeds of dissent within an EU where rising nationalism is polarising societal attitudes. In the end, it is a really rather brutal assessment of human nature at it's worst whilst also illustrating just what lengths decent folks will go to, and the risks they will take, to do what they feel is right. The intensity of the camerawork - especially in the woods, and the audio editing give this an added piquancy that makes their plight all the more terrifying, frustrating and deadly. I didn't quite get the point of the anecdote at the end. I'm not sure that concluding assertion took into consideration the historic cultural and traditional links between neighbouring Poland and Ukraine as distinct from those fleeing from Syria, but it does offer us considerable food for thought on what is the right thing to do without imposing director Holland's personal view too overwhelmingly on the issues faced by countries that might be legitimately concerned about the impact on their nation, economy and culture of large scale migration. It's not an easy film to watch, it's violent and nasty - but compelling.
Jun 22, 2024
Brent Marchant
Escaping tyranny to find a better life is a process frequently riddled with challenges, frustrations and desperate measures. So, when refugees hear about an allegedly credible way to more easily escape their circumstances and make their way to freedom, they often enthusiastically jump at the chance to avail themselves of the opportunity. Such was the case in 2021 with the supposedly unblemished promise accorded the “green border” crossing from Belarus into Poland, a port of entry into the European Union said to offer a comparatively less problematic escape route for those fleeing the Middle East and Africa. However, given that neither nation wanted to deal with a flood of refugees at the time, combined with swirling rumors that the new arrivals posed a serious security threat to the well-being of a conservatively governed Poland, the border patrol guards in both countries engaged in an aggressive campaign of brutally rounding up and unceremoniously dumping escapees back and forth on each other’s territory, repeatedly subjecting those caught in the middle to inhumane treatment and unspeakable perils with each switch, a practice little known outside the region at the time. This latest offering from acclaimed writer-director Agnieszka Holland sheds light on what happened during this turbulent time, a troubling scenario that, despite some significant reforms in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine War, still continues to this day. The film explores this scenario through four interwoven story threads showing the impact of the green border on the lives of refugees, border guards, activists seeking to assist refugees in transit, and everyday citizens looking to make a difference in Polish government policies and practices. The picture’s superbly crafted narrative and poignant screenplay provide an excellent, in-depth examination of the connections involving these four constituencies through a well-integrated combination of engaging, emotion-filled sequences and its captivating, edge-of-the-seat treatment of the principals’ diverse yet linked experiences. However, given the subject matter and its gritty, realistic depiction, sensitive viewers should be aware that this release can be a difficult watch at times. Nevertheless, despite its cinematic candor, this offering is also riveting in holding viewing attention, quite an achievement for a film with a 2:32:00 runtime, an artistic accomplishment largely made possible by its fine performances across the board and its stunning black-and-white cinematography. At the risk of overstatement, “Green Border” is handily one of the most important releases of 2024, one that should be on every cinephile’s must watch list for its hard-hitting impact and eye-opening revelations, disclosures that anyone with a conscience should find impossible to ignore.
Aug 24, 2024
good.film
For audiences who see “refugee” as just a headline in a newspaper, GREEN BORDER changes everything. It's an urgent, extraordinary film that spears your heart like an arrow.
Winner of seven separate prizes at the Venice Film Festival, Green Border recognises that, to put it bluntly, the refugee crisis is a mess that’s too easily written off as “somebody else’s problem.” To break through that, Polish master filmmaker Agnieszka Holland zooms into just a handful of characters, and manages to make a statement with almost every frame.
The handheld camerawork lends Green Border a realism, while the black & white imagery lends it a foreboding – the sense that this is living history; a shameful chapter of Europe’s recent past that somehow, we’re still allowing to take place today.
We may not share a language or a border or even a nationality with these characters, but those are all constructs. We invented them. As trite as it sounds, the one core truth we all share is that we're all human. While our news cycles work hard to distract us from that, Green Border paints that reminder in bold black ink.
Read our full review of Green Border at good.film: https://good.film/guide/this-refugee-film-was-blasted-by-a-right-wing-government-then-it-helped-overthrow-them
Nov 20, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Green Border examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Agnieszka Holland brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2023, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Green Border took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 152 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 197 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 65 unique compositions.
- The costume department created over 203 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The film contains approximately 1792 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2023, when this film is released:
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Green Border shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike No Hard Feelings, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Green Border subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Free Zone and Turtles Can Fly explore similar territory, Green Border stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 22, 2023
- Runtime: 2h 32m
- Revenue: $4,175,869
Where to Watch
