Refugee (2016)

Refugee Poster

Five acclaimed photographers travel the world to provide detailed insight into the difficult conditions faced by refugees who dream of a better life.

Film Overview
"Refugee" is an effective documentary released in 2016 that concentrates on the international refugee crisis. Filmmaker Caoimhe Butterly humanizes the political disputes surrounding refugees by thoroughly capturing the individual experiences and stories of those who have left their houses due to the fact that of war and strife. This thought-provoking documentary aesthetically and empathetically highlights the difficulties and human rights violations related to worldwide displacement.

Summary of Plot
The film follows the journey of several refugees from their war-torn nations to their last destinations, intending to look for asylum. It includes scenes of their risky journeys throughout deserts and seas, trying to reach an unfamiliar place, typically without any warranty of safety or a warm welcome. Some had actually gotten away Syria, others had actually gotten away from Afghanistan and Iraq, all in search of a much better life. They each had traumatic experiences facing risk, exploitation and in many cases death. The documentary attempts to capture their journeys, their worries, their hopes, and their durability.

Themes and Objectives
"Refugee" intends to shed light on the human side of the refugee crisis, challenging the audience to feel sorry for the refugees' true experiences rather than viewing them as nameless, faceless statistics. The main themes represented throughout the film consist of the fight for survival, human durability, lost identity, and the struggle for human rights. It aims to challenge stereotypes and stigmas connected to refugees, and give a voice to those who are frequently misunderstood and marginalized.

Production and Reception
The makers of the documentary "Refugee" selected an immersive design of filmmaking. This technique revolved around long durations invested in refugee camps and on the journey trails of the refugees to get direct accounts of these experiences. Butterly's cinematic method positioned a focus on personal stories and featured numerous close-ups, preferring intimate interactions over sweeping panoramas or significant scenography.

Upon its release, "Refugee" received normally favorable evaluations due to its wholehearted story and engaging storytelling. Critics noted the film's ability to humanize often politicized, marginalized refugees in an understanding and dignified manner. Nevertheless, they also mentioned that it was an unpleasant watch, due to the topic and the troubling experiences of the topics. Audiences valued the unflinching look at the truths of displacement and the need for understanding and compassion in the face of worldwide crises.

Takeaways from Film
Overall, "Refugee" supplies an intimate insight into the human experience of displacement and the challenges faced by individuals forced to leave their homes in search of security. It emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and human rights for everyone, despite their sanctuary status. It advises audiences of the important humanity shared by all and challenges simple, dehumanizing narratives and stereotypes about refugees. The film functions as a poignant pointer that at the heart of the refugee crisis are private lives filled with worry, guts, durability and unpredictability, calling out for our cumulative obligation to support human rights and supply sanctuary.

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