Legendary filmmaker Agnieszka Holland’s gripping refugee thriller raised the ire of some Polish politicians and inspired protests on its way to a box office record. Special Jury Prize, Venice.
Set along the border between Belarus and Poland, Holland’s (
Europa, Europa, SFF 1991;
Spoor, SFF 2017) striking black and white film looks at how refugees, lured by false promises, fall under the control of callous border guards and sinister politicians.
Green Border follows a Syrian family that comes into contact with a young border guard and an activist determined to help. Oscar-nominated Holland’s brilliant direction (in collaboration with associate directors Kamila Tarabura and Katarzyna Warzecha) vividly conveys the terrible moral quandaries faced by these individuals in this urgent film of great political and artistic impact.