Green Border

Even before the premiere of this movie, there was a lot of drama going on already. Everyone was reviewing it even though all they saw was a tiny bit of trailer. Sometimes, not even that. Even polish government started to make their own propaganda to make people believe it was anti-polish movie and all of that just so they could gain more voters before election that will happen soon. In some cities, it's even banned to be played in cinemas. That's how current government's world works and will work if they win again. No free speech, full censorship of anything that may be offensive towards government and many many more. But it's not about it.

Movie itself is build on politics, so it's hard to not talk about them. Though, I don't think that Holland wanted to attack the army itself, as some of the people think she did, but rather the corruption and how government overused their power. How they forced people to act like there was no human rights, like those people on the other side of the fence were nothing. This movie isn't about letting illegal migrants into the country, but about respect and right treating. We're all humans after all, but what was happening on the border was really wrong.

It's not a documentary, but a lot of things that happened in the movie had place in real life. There was a lot of videos, photos and even articles saying about those horrible things happening. And all of it just because of the government, who wants to make their own people scare and be afraid of other nationalities. Movie was also about our own feelings, how we see the world that surrounds us. It's always hard to say about things, that are uncomfortable, but true. But they have to be said and we can't just let those high positioned people get away with it without any consequences. That's not how this world should work.

I was following the news back then and I'm really glad that such movie was made and is showing somehow the reality of what was happening on the border. But the truth is, what media were allowed to show us and what is the real truth of how it really looked like, is two different things and for people, who are open-minded those two things should matter to draw your own conclusions and based on that make your own opinion.

Polish director Agnieszka Holland's impassioned examination of the European refugee crisis from her nation's perspective. Holland's film, which she also co-wrote, is a sprawling work which begins by following a family of Syrians who are trying to the EU through Russian dominated Belarus. From there, the movie weaves it way to the Border Guards and, eventually, ia small band of mostly female Aid workers who give medical and legal assistance to the immigrants.

The structure is a bit daunting even though there are loose connections binding it all together. Cinematographer Tomasz Naumiuk shoots in an austere Black and White with Frédéric Vercheval's brooding score as accompaniment. The large cast is quite good with Maja Ostarszewska a standout as the, perhaps a bit naive Julia, one of the Polish volunteers. Behi Djanati Atai is memorable as a defiant Afghan woman who crosses the border with the Syrians. What knits it together is Holland's vision, which becomes clearer and clearer as the various strands are brought together - while simulataneously being torn assunder.

Holland never flinches from the painful and graphic details of the refugees' plight. They are literal political footballs booted from one side of the border to the other. There are times when the structure doesn't completely work and the filmmaker does dwell a bit on some seemingly extraneous details, but, there is no questioning Holland's fervor - much of it directed at Poland's leadership. It's been a highly controversial film within the nation and its government, and throughout much of Europe.

Unsurprisingly, it was NOT Poland's official submission to this past year's Academy Awards.

At 75, Holland (an Oscar nominee for EUROPA EUROPA) has made a daring - some would say angry - film. A stunning work of art that demands to be seen.

I won't deny that I was prompted to watch the film right after the Polish premiere by how extremists in the government try to use it to their advantage by throwing around statements that are subject to Godwin's law in normal discourse, which at the same time obscures the message and power of the picture. The second reason was my interest in the subject matter covered - for the past two years I have been hearing about the events that have been fictionalized in this powerful and emotionally stirring film. The situation in Ukraine, Belarus, the constant information war and disinformation on the part of Belarus and Russia, the visa scandal in which the government is involved, the dying refugees in the border area between Poland and Belarus.

The visual layer of the film is flawless. The story is told in an intriguing, engaging way, and there are several memorable moments, including some dialogues that, curiously enough, show the surprising self-irony of the middle class supporting the neoliberal opposition. The script and acting were not always flawless, although this did not detract too much from the overall reception of the film, as the film defends itself primarily through its imagery. It is truly unforgettable. I recommend it from the bottom of my heart.

I loved the different perspectives this movie shown, at first tho i was scared that they would show all guards and people there as bad ones. It is not all black and white like that. There was some things that this movie omitted, but i think the message still is valid. We should all be treated in humanly way, you know. As a sensitive person this movie hit me hard, the pregnant woman scene, like WHO can be heartless like that. I am also big fan of french music, so i loved 'Mourir mille fois' in the soundtrack. Anyway, if u think about watching this movie, than i think its a great way of spending sad autumn afternoon. For sure you will think about this movie for a while. ( If you dont find feelings, emotions etc. Interesting than maybe dont go, cos you will not get the point and probably you'll be bored). Have a nice day people :)

Agnieszka Holland's *Green Border* (*Zielona granica*) is a powerful and unflinching portrayal of the humanitarian crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border. Through the intersecting stories of a Syrian refugee family, an Afghan English teacher, and a conflicted border guard, the film sheds light on the harrowing realities faced by those caught in the no-man's-land of geopolitical conflict.

Jalal Altawil delivers a heart-wrenching performance as the father of the Syrian family, embodying both resilience and despair. Maja Ostaszewska portrays the Afghan teacher with a quiet strength that anchors her story, while Behi Djanati Atai adds nuance to the role of a border guard torn between duty and conscience. Together, their narratives create a tapestry of human suffering, hope, and moral ambiguity.

Holland's direction is both compassionate and unrelenting, refusing to shy away from the brutality of the situation. The stark, desolate visuals of the borderlands, captured with haunting beauty, underscore the desperation of those trapped in this liminal space. The screenplay, co-written by Holland, Maciej Pisuk, and Gabriela Lazarkiewicz, navigates complex themes of humanity, politics, and survival without resorting to simplifications or clichés.

At 2 hours and 32 minutes, the film's runtime allows for a thorough exploration of its characters and their plights, though some viewers may find the pacing demanding. Nevertheless, the emotional impact and urgent relevance of *Green Border* make it a vital watch.

This is a film for those who seek stories that challenge and provoke, offering no easy answers but demanding empathy and reflection. *Green Border* is a haunting reminder of the human cost of political indifference.

Rating: 8/10 - A deeply moving and essential portrayal of a modern humanitarian crisis.