Fleeing persecution and torture in northern Iraq, three young Kurds, Mahmoud, Rezghar and Saman, smuggle themselves into Britain aboard a freight train. Arriving in London they register for asylum but soon experience the first blast of bureaucracy, as their papers are lost in the system. When Saman is detained in prison and the police attempt to arrest Rezghar, he flees and hides in a church where Father Michael is leading a service.
Acting
David Bradley's restrained priesthood is quietly shattering.
Writing
A romance built on silence and impossible choices.
Director
Nigel Barker
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on a shoestring budget with actual Kurdish refugees in supporting roles, giving the detention scenes documentary-level authenticity.
Released in 2003 during peak UK asylum debate; the government's 'dispersal policy' was literally warehousing refugees in remote towns—this film shoved that reality into art-house cinemas.
US
