238. The Flood; movie review

THE FLOOD
Cert 15
99 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, threat

Just a week after I decried the lack of movies about refugees in the country where politicians are obsessed with them, comes The Flood.
Ultimately, it shows that many asylum-seekers risk their lives to try to come to the UK because they are desperate not because they are scroungers.
Sadly, those with closed minds who shower Brexit Party founder Nigel Farage with love and gratitude will never see it.
I find it damning that so-called populist politicians and their supporters rarely talk about the individual impact of policies, preferring generalisations and stereotyping.
This would prompt them to think more deeply.
Anthony Woodley's film comes at the issue from two perspectives - that of the refugees and the immigration officer whose job is to send most of them home to an uncertain fate.
His lead character is Haile (Ivanno Jeremiah), a former soldier who has escaped Eritrea where he faced persecution.
His case initially appears to be open and shut because he dived out of the back of a lorry in which he has stowed away and threatened police officers with a knife.
Gradually, however, his interviewer (Lena Headey) begins to believe that he is unwilling to tell a truth which would lead to him having a better chance of being given asylum.
The movie comprises of her interview with him and his responses being told in flashbacks.
It traces his life-risking journey from Eritrea to the Calais Jungle where knowing who to trust can be the difference between life and death.
Indeed, friendships are only forged between those who need something from each other.
The final leg to the UK is fraught with danger and, even when they arrive, the migrants know there are slim chances of being allowed to stay.
Meanwhile, Headey's immigration officer initially appears to be hard-nosed but the stress of dealing with cases such as Haile's are clearly taking their toll personally and professionally.
I have read a review which suggests Flood doesn't come up with any political conclusions.
I cannot agree. From where I saw it Woodley's movie is suggesting that current asylum policies do not have enough flexibility for those on either side of the interview table.
Its clear message is that the generalisations of anti-immigration rhetoric are misplaced.

Reasons to watch: Shows the reality of the refugees who make it to the UK
Reasons to avoid: If you are a right-winger who doesn't want prejudices challenged

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? In 2017, there were 26,350 applications for asylum made in the UK. This compares with 198,255 applications for asylum made in Germany, 126,550 in Italy and 91,070 in France over the same period. 

The final word. Lena Headey: “It (the refugee crisis) is not a cool thing to talk about. It’s kind of ugly. And sort of unfathomable. But when are we going to realise we need to find something that works?” The Guardian

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