Green Border (2023)
Agnieszka Holland’s Green Border is a gut-wrenching portrayal of the refugee crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border. Set against the backdrop of a geopolitical power play, the film follows multiple storylines, including a Syrian family seeking asylum, a young Polish border guard grappling with his conscience, and activists risking everything to help those in need.
Holland’s masterful direction shines through in this black-and-white tour de force. The stark cinematography by Tomasz Naumiuk perfectly captures the bleakness of the situation, with the lush forest transformed into a nightmarish landscape. The contrast between the natural beauty and the human suffering is striking, serving as a powerful metaphor for the crisis itself.
The ensemble cast delivers knockout performances across the board. Jalal Altawil and Dalia Naous are particularly heartbreaking as the Syrian parents, their desperation palpable in every frame. Maja Ostaszewska brings depth and nuance to her role as Julia, the activist psychiatrist who finds herself drawn into the fray. And Tomasz Wlosok’s portrayal of the conflicted border guard is a study in internal turmoil.
Holland doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to depicting the harsh realities faced by refugees. There are scenes that’ll make your blood boil—a pregnant woman tossed over barbed wire, families separated and dehumanised. It’s tough to watch, but that’s precisely the point. The film forces us to confront the human cost of political manoeuvring and xenophobia.
The pacing is relentless, mirroring the constant back-and-forth endured by the refugees. Holland expertly weaves together multiple storylines, creating a tapestry of human experiences that’s both intimate and sweeping in scope. The use of handheld cameras in the forest scenes adds to the sense of disorientation and urgency.
If there’s a weakness, it’s that the film occasionally veers into didacticism. While the images do a good job of conveying the themes, the dialogue can be overly literal at times. Additionally, the epilogue, while thought-provoking, feels somewhat tacked on and disrupts the emotional impact of the preceding scenes.
That said, Green Border is a powerful piece of cinema that demands to be seen. It’s a stark reminder of our shared humanity and the arbitrary nature of borders. Holland has crafted a film that’s not just a commentary on a specific crisis but a universal exploration of compassion, moral responsibility, and the lengths people will go to for a chance at a better life.
Is it an easy watch? Absolutely not. But it’s an important one. Green Border will leave you shaken, angry, and hopefully more aware of the ongoing humanitarian crises happening right on Europe’s doorstep. It’s a wake-up call wrapped in a gripping narrative, and while it may not be perfect, it’s undeniably impactful. A must-see.