I've given Zielona Granica ( Polish name , I'm Polish ) a full ten to counteract trolls who already downgraded the film to 2 stars on the Polish site Filmweb before it was even released. As mentioned I live in Poland and have been aware and mildly concerned by the eastern border crisis without really involving myself too much emotionally in the midst of much other domestic political madness . This has been remedied by Ms. Holland's film which presents the story of Immigrants escaping persecution in a human perspective - directly showing us in sections the lives and actions of Border Guards, Activists and of course the fleeing Families themselves. Now I can see the human tragedy far transcends my own domestic and delicate political sensibilities . The powerful way the stories are told were able to touch and anger me and I was moved to tears more than once during the course of the film. I can now relate to similar scenes in other European locations and the thousands of tragedies occurring daily a testament to the Directors powerful film making. I left the Cinema feeling sad and helpless but definitely more cognizant and in awe of the fine way the Film had been made.
Criticism for the film in Poland ( unseen ) has come from the Government side and the film is being used as a tool in an ugly political battle during the run in to an election . Armies of trolls and politicians are lining up to lambast Ms Hollands film without having seen it - objecting to the way the Polish state via it's Border Guards is portrayed. The film does show scenes of Police and the Border functionaries in a cruel light ( based on real life testimonies I think ) but there are two sides shown and you can see that almost like the immigrants themselves they too are just helpless pieces trapped in this tragic international affair. Our President himself has called anyone going to see the Film a Pig ( ! ) which will give people outside of Poland an idea of the scale of the row this film has caused here.
Oink !
I hope that once the politics and hate have evaporated that Zielona Granica's importance will continue to be recognized and Ms Holland always valued as a fine film maker.
Our election is weeks away , was it the right time to release such a controversial film ? Time will tell but congratulations to everyone involved in making this film.
