Sitting in Limbo

This powerful BBC film encapsulates the traumas endured by the Windrush generation. It makes for uncomfortable but topical viewing. I'm proud to be British, but, for the first time in my lifetime, feel truly ashamed of my country's behaviour. Films like this are vital - they help educate and ensure recklessness like this is not ever permitted to happen again.

The drama never felt overdone. A more subtle approach was taken and it pays off. Life is full of lighthearted, enjoyable moments, especially when family are involved. Such moments are beautifully captured here, juxtaposing the deeper, darker themes of anguish, hopelessness and betrayal. Fabulous lead performances too.

The other reviews here describe it all. This is an outrage that a man who came to UK when he was 8 would get treated like an illegal at the age of 58! What is wrong with the bureaucrats at UK immigration? Are they total idiots. This poor guy got placed in a detention centre like a prison, he loses his job. Immigration offered to 'repatriate' him back to Jamaica! Outrageous! A story of racism, prejudice & mistreatment. And he is not the only one who has been victimised by a department clearly being run by nasty characters with limited humanity or intelligence. A fine piece of drama to tell a story that will remain a record of truth. And this all happened only 3-4 years ago!

It is a "must make" film and as such it is important that it is made - that the word gets out there. And... importance can be synonymous with quality - but only to a certain level. Documentaries can, to a large extent, be valued more on the message they convey than their artistic merit.

Sitting Limbo hovers between two genres; the informative and the artistic - as do many other "life story films". The genre is problematic as the end result is; either likely to be accused of diverging from facts under the "artistic licence" OR being true to history and respecting the facts to the point dullness.

Sitting in Limbo certainly edges toward the documentary format - it, unfortunately has not hit the sweet spot in the middle ground. And so recommendations become dependent on preference of style:

If you consider facts superior in importance to dramaturgy - chances are you will appreciate Stella Cor.radio's work. If, on the other hand, you value artistic accomplishments above facts - chances are you will feel Sitting in Limbo runs a little dry.

There is one argument which would make the above redundant, that is; IF the pacing of the film was an artists attempt to lure the viewer into similar frustration as that of our protagonist. If the "why is nothing happening" frustration is actually part of a greater master plan. If so, the greatness is likely to be appreciated by few - but would motivate some very high scoring. In any event - be prepared to feel frustration.

Year 1948. Post-WWII era.. British government invited around 500+ workers from Jamaica to settle in UK to help rebuild their country. The first batch of those settlers embarked HMT Empire Windrush. Their offsprings are known as the Windrush generation in UK. In 2010, the Home office destroyed the landing cards of thousands of Windrush immigrants and in 2012, David Cameron's administration formed a committee called hostile environment working group that echoed a broader rancour towards migrants in the UK. As the local officers and managers kept hunting for 'low hanging fruit' (easy target), some 850 people were wrongly detained between 2012-17. And one of them was Anthony Bryan. This is his dramatic memoir of his ordeal. Patrick Robinson delivers a mature immaculate performance. An eye opening and thought provoking drama as often we turn a blind eye to the struggles and challenges that 'not legal' migrants face. As Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary who later resigned, apologized that this policy was a mistake and she said that she saw this only as an individual issue not as a systemic problem.. A must watch ..

This is a shocking true story of Anthony Bryan who was a victim of the Windrush scandal. A honest hard working man who had spent 50 years living and working in the UK. Married with children who were UK citizens who's life was ruined over a three year period.

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary the British government seemed determined to deport Mr Bryant to Jamaica based on what amounted to a lost passport.

Sadly not all victims of the Windrush scandal were as fortunate as Mr Bryant many were wrongfully deported and many are still awaiting compensation.

The performances from the whole cast are terrific in particular Patrick Robinson in the lead roll. 8/10