In cinemas late November/early 2026
By Rita Di Santo
With a captivating poetic opening, director Marta Bergman chronicles the journey of a young couple, whose beginning is marked by a touch of poetry: an orange tent, two young lovers inside, and a child with them.
They embark on their journey, happy in the tent, snapping selfies to send to distant families, much like many other families. However, normalcy soon shifts the atmosphere; they are a couple with a child attempting to cross the border clandestinely. Sparse dialogue hints at their desire to build a better future for their daughter.
Initially, the journey does not appear difficult; they have money with them, which seems to be the key to success. But soon, the dream morphs into a nightmare: crammed inside a van with other refugees, tension mounts as night falls, and the confined space creates a thriller-like ambiance.
Border police spot the van, suspense escalates, and the journey quickly transforms into a desperate escape. It becomes a cat-and-mouse chase, with officers determined to stop them at all costs, one pointing a weapon at the van, making it hard to maintain any sense of safety.
The director skilfully interweaves various settings: the cramped interior of the van, the increasingly worried couple concerned for their child, the police vehicles, and the control centre where the officer communicates with the patrols and drivers on the road.
Suddenly, tragedy interrupts the flight. The tone of the film shifts, transitioning to a luxurious hotel where the couple is housed. A detached, technical dialogue explains their situation, outlining European laws with no guarantee of residency. The court must justify the police officer’s actions.
Chillingly, the film is based on a true event in which a refugee child was killed by a police bullet, serving as a powerful indictment. The film becomes an act of justice while also reopening an unhealed wound over an event that the media has sought to obscure. It serves as a starting point for seeking justice – a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by refugees worldwide.
It highlights the often brutal and dehumanizing treatment they endure at the hands of authorities, a reflection of a political landscape that prioritizes borders over human lives. As governments tighten their grip on immigration policies, the film calls into question our collective conscience and the moral obligation to protect the vulnerable.
The tragic events depicted are not isolated incidents but rather symptomatic of a systemic failure to uphold human rights, urging viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths about our societies and the political choices that shape them.
Marta Bergman stands out as a pivotal voice not only in contemporary European cinema but also in the broader context of global storytelling. Her ability to tackle complex themes with sensitivity and artistic finesse allows her narratives to transcend cultural boundaries.
The stories she crafts resonate deeply in countries grappling with issues of immigration and systemic injustice. Through her unwavering lens, Bergman invites audiences to engage with the human experience on a profound level, encouraging empathy and understanding.
As she continues to challenge conventional norms, her work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diverse voices in cinema, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of marginalized communities worldwide.
At a time when such narratives are crucial, Marta Bergman’s contributions to film are not only significant but essential in fostering dialogue and awareness across borders.
