GREEN BORDER has the power to fundamentally shift perspectives for those who primarily encounter the term “refugee” through news reports. It’s a vital and remarkable film that delivers an emotional blow. The movie, which received seven awards at the Venice Film Festival, acknowledges plainly that the refugee crisis is a complicated situation frequently dismissed as not one's concern. To get this across, Polish fil…

The journey from oppression toward a more hopeful existence is often filled with obstacles, disappointments, and difficult choices. When people seeking refuge hear of what seems like a reliable path to escape their circumstances and reach safety, they’re inclined to seize the opportunity. This was true in 2021 concerning the “green border” crossing from Belarus into Poland, presented as an easier route for those flee…

I’ve now seen two films featuring Tomasz Wlosok recently. Previously, he appeared in Julia von Heinz's tragic-comedy "Treasure" (2024), playing a character with a much lighter tone than his role here as a Polish border guard. He is one of a group responsible for preventing refugees from crossing into the EU from Belarus. We are introduced to people who were led to believe their escape from Syria and Afghanistan would…