Review of In This World (2003) by John C — 28 Mar 2004
Best in Show: Jamal Udin Torabi.
One for the future: Jamal Udin Torabi.
Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.
Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.
DVD commentary any good?: n/a.
TV.
What Winterbottom did next (after 24 Hour Party People). Following on from the documentary style he utilised so effectively in Welcome to Sarajevo, here he follows the journey of two Afghan refugees from their camp in Pakistan to London. In using non-professional actors throughout this is utterly convincing and compelling for its hour and a half running time. The tragic final half hour would surely bring a tear to the eye of even the most hard-hearted - what Torabi has to go through simply to get into this country (illegally, mind) is shocking. The bloke who plays Tariq in Eastenders even turns up as a fellow asylum-seeker who befriends him at Sangatte camp in France. This is a film that encourages us to view refugees as individuals, with (shock horror) feelings and ambitions who are willing to put their lives on the line for the chance of a better quality of life. It also exposes the chain of bribery and corruption that lies in their way. A film that demonstrates the power film-making can have in the right hands.
This review of In This World (2003) was written by John C on 28 Mar 2004.
In This World has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
