When journalists were barred from accessing the dire conditions faced by migrants at the Poland-Belarus border, filmmaker Agnieszka Holland took action, crafting a poignant film to tell their stories.
Debuting at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, “Green Border” weaves tales of refugees, activists, charity workers, and border personnel, all converging in the chilling and marshy woodlands separating the two Eastern European nations.
The influx of migrants began in 2021 when Belarus, an ally of Russia, launched travel initiatives in the Middle East, suggesting an alternative, albeit unofficial, passage into Europe. The European Union criticized this as an attempt to incite a crisis.
Poland’s response was a firm denial of entry, resulting in countless migrants left in cold limbo. A temporary exclusion zone was enforced, barring reporters and rights advocates from inspecting the situation firsthand.
Holland remarked, “Documentary creators and reporters were barred, but what I can do is craft a narrative film depicting these unfolding events.” She emphasized the need to represent the story in its full intricacy, aiming to amplify the voices that have been muted.
The monochromatic film portrays a Syrian family and an Afghan woman repeatedly displaced by unsympathetic border forces, with activists working tirelessly to ensure their safety.
Holland, whose filmography includes narratives on the Holocaust and Communist oppression, questioned the European Union’s foundational principles in light of these events. She warned that continued actions in this direction could transform the emblematic land of freedom, democracy, and rights into an impregnable stronghold.
“Green Border” casts a critical eye on Poland’s denial of entry to Middle Eastern and African migrants, especially when contrasted with its acceptance of over a million refugees during Ukraine’s crisis in 2022.
However, lead actress Maja Ostaszewska, who personally aided migrants in 2021, emphasized that the film’s intention wasn’t political. Instead, it poses an age-old query: “When someone seeks your aid, do you extend a hand, or choose to turn a blind eye?”
“Green Border” joins 22 other films in the race for the coveted Golden Lion award at the Venice festival, which concludes on Sept. 9.
“Green Border” not only sheds light on a pertinent humanitarian issue but also delves into the deeper moral dilemmas faced by societies and individuals. As the Venice Film Festival wraps up, the film stands as a testament to the power of cinema in sparking conversations, challenging norms, and echoing the silenced voices of the vulnerable.
