Hostile

A powerful film exploring the real impact on real lives of this government's creation of a 'Hostile Environment' for our migrant population. I'd thought I was familiar with the issues, but there's so much more I know now.

No histrionics, no false drama, just clear, brilliant telling of exactly how it is for some of the most vulnerable in society. When they come up against a government set on 'the corporatisation of everything', they determinedly strip the most desperate of people of their most basic human rights: food, heating, shelter, and safety from harm.

This film is hard-hitting, moving, informative...life-changing!

When was the last time you saw good, well-argued political cinema?

If you thought that there was no young torch bearer for Ken Loach's film-making approach, think again: Sonita Gale is treading in his footsteps with this superb documentary. It will strike a chord with anyone who has known people living away from their mother country.

Through real-life stories she shows us what it's like to be at the receiving of the 'hostile environment' created by successive governments, particularly over the past ten years. At times you will feel disbelief, but I must say I saw as an employer team members (from Australia and Sri Lanka) who landed in similar crazy dead-end situations as those shown in the film.

This is an urgent movie that should be mandatory viewing to enlighten the general public on the hidden suffering of so many people who live and work in the UK and make our country run.

P. S. Nitin Sawhney's music alone is a great reason to watch this film.

How did we get to the point where ministerial departments are permitted to abuse the rights of vulnerable people? Why would we base our immigration policy on the model chosen by Australia (if you haven't seen Stateless yet, please watch it now)? This film demonstrates how our misguided notions and apathy have led to a toxic cycle of self-justified mistreatment of fellow human beings, who's only crime is being born in a war zone.

I left this film with clenched fists and a locked jaw. Although it is incredibly difficult to watch, it is necessary. Please take the time to listen to the stories of those we so often chose to ignore.

A powerful yet tender documentary showing the insurmountable odds and barriers faced by migrants to the UK. Asylum seekers, workers, university students, all face a slew of challenges passed down and given greater power by successive governments since the early 1900's. This film offers context, humanity, and compassion, asking that we all understand that our reputation as a country of refuge, with our proud cites of sanctuary, is on the line, and in the end our similarities are greater than our differences, and those in charge need to acknowledge this. A brilliant, thought-provoking piece of cinema that absolutely deserves the awards it has been long listed for.

Shows the adverse impact of the hostile environment policy as experienced by real individuals, but with no meaningful context. This documentary is purely a polemic without any depth of analysis.