In the treacherous and swampy forests that make up the so called “green border” between Belarus and Poland, refugees from the Middle East and Africa trying to reach the European Union are trapped in a geopolitical crisis cynically engineered by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. In an attempt to provoke Europe, refugees are lured to the border by propaganda promising easy passage to the EU. Pawns in this hidden war, the lives of Julia, a newly minted activist who has given up her comfortable life, Jan, a young border guard, and a Syrian family intertwine.
Direction
Holland's 50-year career peaks with her most urgent film.
Cinematography
Night vision horror in actual Polish forests.
Acting
Ostaszewska's transformation from comfort to conviction.
Director
Agnieszka Holland
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Holland shot illegally in the actual exclusion zone; crew was detained by Polish border guards who thought they were real smugglers.
Poland's right-wing government tried to ban screenings; the film became the top-grossing Polish release of 2023 anyway.
PL
