International Art House Series
An unflinching depiction of the migrant crisis at the Belarus-European Union border, this riveting film explores the intractable issue from multiple perspectives. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
In the treacherous and swampy forests that make up the so-called “green border” between Belarus and Poland, refugees from the Middle East and Africa are lured by government propaganda promising easy passage to the European Union. Unable to cross into Europe and unable to turn back, they find themselves trapped in a rapidly escalating geopolitical stand-off. Thirty years after Europa Europa, three-time Academy Award-nominee Agnieszka Holland brings a masterful eye for realism and deep compassion to this blistering critique of a humanitarian calamity that continues to unfold. [152 min; drama; Polish, Arabic, and French with English subtitles]
This screening is supported by the IU Institute for European Studies, a Jean Monnet EU Centre of Excellence.
"There has been no shortage of films that deal with Europe’s current refugee crisis over the last decade or so. Still, this picture, with its supremely confident handling of a fractured, fragmented structure and its twin driving forces of compassion and fury, is undoubtedly one of the best." — Wendy Ide, Screen Daily
"By replicating the process of dehumanization, the film’s form forces us to confront our own inaction. Green Border is unforgettable, in all senses of the word." — Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture
"It’s a work that blends compassion with artistry so purely that there’s no way to separate them. This is bold filmmaking that makes us feel more courageous too." — Stephanie Zacharek, Time
Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.
Jan 23
