In This World Reviews

Excellent

Docu/drama crossover using refugee actors without a script and based on the desparate journeys made from Pakistan to Britain by refugees. Follows the two young men on the road and in their dealings with the people smuggling industry. Powerful stuff.

Is there any genre or subject that Michael Winterbottom cannot tackle successfully?! This film is a masterpiece of understatement, made all the more remarkable when you watch the "making -of" extra feature and realise how most of the footage was obtained. For anyone who has shown an interest in the current asylum debate that consumes Western democracies, and the UK in particular, Winterbottom has captured its essence by focusing on the stories of two men who are economic migrants from 20 years of war in Afghanistan. It will make you question most of your preconceptions about asylum seekers and economic refugees, and the thin line that in many cases separates both. Compelling viewing.

Out of this world

How did they do it? Create a film that appears so startlingly real that the line between fiction and reality is indefinable. The answer lies in the DVD extras which tell the real story. In many ways, this other story is inseparable from the one we stay gripped to: the passage of two immigrants to London. So contemporary and important in theme, I urge everyone to see this film. So many questions arise from viewing this entertaining and educational road movie that it'll have you either repelled and ostrich-like retreating to a world within, or open your conscience to the real issues we so often imagine only happen when the media reports them.

A 'must see' for the chattering classes

For some people, this film may come as quite a shock. The social underclass, collectively known as ‘asylum seekers’, does actually contain real human beings who, we see, will go through the most abject pain and suffering in order to escape a life of poverty brought about through no fault of their own.

‘In This World’ is a true story which follows, documentary style, Jamal and his elder nephew’s journey from an Afghan refugee camp to London. During the journey they encounter the worst, and occasionally the best, of human behaviour; they take risks that you or I would not dream of taking, just so they can escape, just so they can survive.

The overpowering feeling of claustrophobia when they are locked in a dark, airless container on a ship for days or even weeks, will remain with you for just as long afterwards. Of the five people who went into that container, only two emerge alive. The sheer anger, sadness and relief of Jamal are all captured in his face as he bolts from the port.

Just like on the news, we see the Sangatte refugee camp, and we see its occupants cut through the Eurotunnel compound fencing and hide under lorries. Except that this time it is someone we know, someone we are willing and hoping to make it to England. Perhaps even some people would agree.

A "docu-film" where the characters are actors but the setting and filming is documentray-like. A sad story, all too realistic, of the dangers and frustrations millions of refugees go through trying to get into the UK. Compelling.

A brilliant documentary dramatisation . The story is touching and the cinematography very poignant.

A must-see

I'm giving this 4*s because I feel it's a film you should see. and I'm glad I did - because it really helped me to see things more from the other side. The side that pities rather than vilifies refugees... there's once scene in particular affected me but I can't say about it here. I wouldn't be able to describe the way it made me feel. This film may not be brilliant - and the reality/non-reality thing it has going is confusing at times.. but you really do have to see it.

The Daily Mail Sucks

This movie is a masterpiece of cinema.

The movie challenges your deep rooted prejudices of refugees / asylum seekers / economic migrants.

It seems Michael Winterbottom got sick of all right wing crap about Immigration and wanted to show what actually happened. The result is remarkable, instead of wishing that these people never came to our shores, you are willing them on.

Raw and gripping but nearly ruined by moralising

I enjoyed this film for it's heart breaking realism and it is a great demonstration of what can be done on mini DV with a good story and actors. However, I was irritated by the intrusion of the filmmakers through unnecessary narration. Michael Winterbottom should let the story speak for itself- the sentimental political message conveyed at the end would have been better left out.

Dire

After half an hour I was bored - it was a good decision to fastforward through the rest of the film as I realised I'd saved a valuable hour of my life. Slow, repetative and dull with absolutely no empathy built for the characters. Next ....