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Jamal Udin Torabi,
Jamal Udin Torabi,
Enayatullah,
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:
Michael Winterbottom,
Michael Winterbottom
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: 
: Showtime Entertainment
: Drama, Foreign, Independent, Politics and Social Issues, British Drama, UK, Quest, Road Movies
: 88 min.
: English
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This title is currently out of print.
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Prolific British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom adds to his impressively diverse oeuvre with this harrowing account of two Afghan refugees' passage to the West in search of a better life. The movie opens at a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, where Afghans have sought refuge in the wake of the U.S. military campaign in their country following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The story follows Jamal, an orphaned teenager, and Enayat, his older companion, as they make their way from Pakistan to London. Traveling in the back of trucks, by bus, and on foot, the two cross Central Asia in an arduous journey punctuated by encounters with hostile border guards and shady smugglers. Even more traumatic is the ocean voyage from Turkey to Italy, during which Jamal and Enayat are forced to hide in a shipping container with other asylum seekers, including a terrified infant. Winterbottom shot the movie vérité-style on digital video, and the smudgy look and quick cutting betray the movie's guerrilla roots. Enhancing its raw veneer is Winterbottom's reliance on improvised dialogue and non-actors. A stirring work of advocacy, this flawed but wrenching film won the Golden Bear at the 2003 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Elbert Ventura, All Movie Guide
Special Features:
- Behind-the-scenes footage with commentary from Michael Winterbottom and Tony Grisoni
- Director's introduction from the Sundance Film Series
- Theatrical Trailers
- Production notes and biographies
- Highlights from the 2003 Sundance Film Series
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| Passionate Story
by JMVerville
October 20, 2004 - 7:01 AM PDT
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2 out of 3 members found this review helpful
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The film is a very great journey from Pakistan to the UK, and a very realistic portrayal based on true events of the things people will do just to find human freedom. The film is a great representation of the hardships of life that refugees face.
While watching this film I felt a great connection to the characters involved, and in spite of the former and latter half of the films throwing in some political propaganda, the basis and execution of the film was very well done. The film kept me interested from its' beginning until its' end.
The acting and directing were quite exceptional, and I was very impressed by the efforts that were made to make this film what it is. The effort definitely pays off. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.37)
62 Votes
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