Echoes of History, Voices of Today

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MOVIE REVIEW
Green Border (Zielona granica)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 2h 32m
Director(s): Agnieszka Holland
Writer(s): Maciej Pisuk, Gabriela Lazarkiewicz, Agnieszka Holland
Cast: Jalal Altawil, Maja Ostaszewska, Behi Djanati Atai, Tomasz Włosok, Mohamad Al Rashi, Dalia Naous
Language: Polish, Arabic, English, French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: opens June 28, 2024, in Chicago at the Gene Siskel Film Center

RAVING REVIEW: Venturing into the corners of the geopolitical hotspot between Belarus and Poland, GREEN BORDER captivates with its stark, monochrome visuals that lay bare a crucial narrative. Directed by Agnieszka Holland, the film juxtaposes serene natural vistas with the stark terror faced by refugees from the Middle East and Africa. This cinematic journey dynamically explores the lives of various characters—from a Syrian family dodging the threats of war to young border guards twisted by authority into perpetrators of violence and the courageous activists who stand in solidarity with the dispossessed.

GREEN BORDER serves as a testament to human fortitude against the harsh realities that asylum seekers endure. Holland’s directorial prowess is evident as she crafts a narrative that meticulously captures the exhaustive trek of these refugees, whose journeys are as fraught with emotional turmoil as they are with physical peril. The choice of black and white film not only intensifies the emotional gravity of the film but also lends it an air of timeless relevance, echoing the classical feel of historical documentaries. Many will remember Holland’s most well-known film, 1990s EUROPA EUROPA, which makes nearly every list of top, must-watch films. In GREEN BORDER, we see the evolution of a filmmaker who can firmly ground their work in a darker, unwelcoming world with a more authentic feel.

The film’s narrative is meticulously stripped down to its core, focusing intently on the human story at the heart of the migration crisis. This minimalistic storytelling approach amplifies the film's emotional resonance and underscores its universal relevance, making it accessible and compelling to a broad audience. The multi-perspective storytelling enriches the film, deepening the audience’s understanding and engagement with the unfolding human drama.

Holland doesn’t shy away from challenging the viewer. She weaves complex themes of compassion against cruelty and probes the moral quandaries tied to national identity. GREEN BORDER mirrors our times' societal and political dilemmas, compelling its audience to rethink their views on migration and the shared human experience. In an era of division, the film underscores the everyday struggles that link humanity across all borders.

While GREEN BORDER scores high on many fronts, it’s not without missteps. While stylistically coherent, the sparse dialogue and austere cinematography can disconnect viewers from the narrative’s deeper emotional threads. Additionally, the film’s ambitious reach sometimes overextends itself, resulting in dragging pacing that can potentially test the patience of viewers who crave a more briskly moving plot.

GREEN BORDER stands as a formidable piece of cinema that bridges the gap between art and the acute global issues of our time. It invites viewers to delve into the conflicts it portrays and the broader implications of these conflicts on our global landscape. As both a work of art and a pointed social commentary, GREEN BORDER is a bold narrative endeavor that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling to spotlight the often unseen struggles occurring at the edges of our world.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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