To a Land Unknown, directed by Mahdi Fleifel, tells a powerful and heart-wrenching story about two Palestinian refugees trying to survive on the edges of society in Athens.
The film follows two cousins; Chatila, played by Mahmoud Bakri, and Reda, played by Aram Sabbah, as they navigate the challenges of being undocumented Palestinian refugees, desperately seeking a way to reach Germany.
The film powerfully highlights the harsh realities faced by many Arab refugees. The experiences of Chatila and Reda portray the struggles faced by those seeking asylum, showing the audience their poignant journey.
To a Land Unknown accurately portrays how many often find themselves living in overcrowded squats or camps with inadequate healthcare and resources, struggling to survive.
As the film goes on, the ethical boundaries for Chatila and Reda begin to blur, driven by desperation. They resort to theft, mugging, and even selling their bodies for a couple of euros.
Chatila, the cleverer of the two brothers, relentlessly seeks ways to obtain passports, driven by his dream of opening a café and reuniting with his wife and son.
Highlighting the tough moral choices that come with desperation, the film shows how the Palestinian brothers go to extremes, from smuggling an estranged child across Europe to getting involved in conning and kidnapping.
While Chatila searches for solutions, Reda struggles with drug addiction, finding it difficult to cope with the circumstances that have led him and his brother to take desperate and unethical actions.
At Toronto International Film Festival, director Mahdi Fleifel shares that To a Land Unknown is based on true events and people.
Fleifel shares his perspective on the morally grey acts portrayed in the film. He shares that at first hearing what his friends did in desperation, he was in disbelief and disturbed.
Fleifel goes on to say “And then I thought, Hang on a minute; it’s so easy for me to judge, but what would I have done? If I was in their ‘non-existent, no paper, no document’ place?”
A top film critic, Robert Daniels, says, “To A Land Unknown is crafted with painstaking care and features two strong lead performances that are thoughtfully translated to the screen by an empathetic lens.”
Along with the brilliant plot, the direction of the film is also truly remarkable. Fleifel presents almost the entire story without bright, vibrant colors, effectively highlighting the sorrow and dullness of the characters’ lives.
Fleifel’s skillful direction goes beyond just the visual palette. The film focuses primarily on the two main characters, creating a sense of confinement that resonates with the audience. Although other characters are mentioned, we never see Chatila’s wife or son, nor do we learn what happened after they sent their estranged child to Italy. This choice deepens the feeling of isolation throughout the film.
To a Land Unknown may not have skyrocketing numbers at the box office, but it is a powerful and profound film that has touched many.
