Problemski Hotel

Powerful movie on the struggles of a group of irregular immigrants/refugees from around the world waiting for a residence permit in a Belgian reception centre. I succeeded in watching its 1h45mins at normal speed in one go: something that happens rarely with dramas. I guess it's the sign of a well produced piece of cinema: great writing, good direction and acting.

Indeed we are not thrown into the expected tearjerking or unsufferable tragedies. We instead witness the resiliency of brave men and women being annihilated by the ultimate challenges: the evil banality of bureaucracy and the hardships of integration within the heart of the supposed-to-be open, inclusive (and Christian) west.

It's hard to attribute a political position to the authors which IMO is a plus and denotes great intelligence. My only problem is with the main plot involving the MC which remains unresolved: couldn't they find a nice way to close it? Or maybe that's on purpose: another dull consequence of how things go.. "The minute you start to wish for things you're fuc*ed".

Hopeful despair beautifully filmed, exquisitely timed, with flawless acting and amazing writing. I've never seen anything like it. Totally watchable but not light entertainment.