Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Anthony Woodley
Distributor: Defiant Screen Entertainment.
Immigration is a challenging subject to delve into, especially in today’s climate. When it comes to exploring it as a topic in a film, ensuring we get a clear perspective is imperative. Hence, this enthralling thriller covers a knowledgeable conversation on the immigrant experience.
Wendy (Lena Headey, Game of Thrones, Waterworld) is an immigration officer for the United Kingdom who has the task of vetting refugees seeking asylum and to determine if they deserve protected status. If eligibility is not apparent, they are deported back to their country of origin. Wendy’s quota-limit hungry boss Philip (fellow Game of Thrones alum, Iain Glen) assigns her these cases.
When she is given an assignment, a refusal is the obvious option. However, there’s something unusual about the case involving a refugee from Eritrea, Haile (Ivanno Jeremiah, Humans, The Hollow Crown), who has crossed the border illegally in the back of a truck. Exacerbating the situation even more, after he was discovered, he attacked a police officer.
As Wendy further investigates, an underlying truth starts to emerge, indicating Haile was hiding something that could potentially alter their situation. During the interrogation, Haile’s story gets to her and cracks appear in her bureaucratic armour. Where once, during interrogation her behaviour was purposefully withdrawn and routine, now her interest is awakened. Headey gives a deeply stirring performance.
As Haile tells his story, the film flashes back and shows the relevant events. The storyline unfolds, tension builds naturally and quietly, strapping us in for an empathetic ride.
Name the actress who plays the role of an immigration officer? If your answer is correct, then you could be one of three DVD winners to receive a copy of The Flood. Entries should be sent to [email protected] by Monday, 2 August 2021. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column on 3 August 2021.
