A Palestinian refugee living on the fringes of society in Athens gets ripped off by a smuggler and sets out to seek revenge.
To A Land Unknown is a gripping exploration of displacement, survival, and the complex moral landscapes that emerge when individuals are stripped of their rights and forced into the shadows. Directed with an acute awareness of the socio-political realities it portrays, this film tells the story of two Palestinian cousins, Chatila (Mahmood Bakri) and Reda (Aram Sabbah), who find themselves trapped in Greece while on a journey to reach Germany. Their quest for a better life is fraught with challenges that test their morals, principles, and ultimately, their humanity.
The film’s narrative is far from the traditional black-and-white portrayal of good versus evil. Instead, it delves into the shades of grey that define the real world. The story acknowledges that people do not always do bad things for bad reasons, nor good things for good reasons. This moral ambiguity is what makes To A Land Unknown so compelling. It presents a world where desperate circumstances force people to make difficult, often morally compromised decisions.
Chatila and Reda’s journey is emblematic of the plight of displaced people everywhere. They are individuals without a true home, having been pushed from one place to another, their land taken, and now left in foreign territories without credentials, paperwork, or identity. The film poignantly depicts their struggle to survive in a world that has stripped them of the basic necessities of life. They are unable to secure legal employment, unable to travel, and unable to reunite with their families without resorting to illegal means. The desperation of their situation leads them down a path where they must rely on smugglers and criminals to navigate their way to a semblance of normalcy.
The film forces its audience to confront the harsh realities faced by those living without privilege. It challenges the often simplistic view that one can easily obtain a passport, an ID, or a job. To A Land Unknown illustrates the brutal truth that when these basic elements of society are out of reach, people are forced into extreme measures. The cousins’ involvement in petty theft, exploitation, and even prostitution is presented not as a moral failing, but as a tragic necessity for survival in a world that offers them no other options.
Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography, helmed by Mihopoulos, creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that underscores the characters’ entrapment. The environments are lived-in and authentic, with every element feeling as though it belongs in the world the film depicts. The urban elements of skating, hustling, and poetry mistaken for rapping add layers of realism to the narrative, portraying the characters’ descent into a world where survival comes at the cost of their humanity.
One of the film’s most powerful elements is its ability to build suspense and tension through a lack of information and constant obstacles. The audience, much like the characters, is left in a state of uncertainty, never knowing if something has worked or how close the cousins are to their goal. The goalpost is constantly shifting, with every potential solution leading to more challenges. This narrative technique keeps the audience engaged, rooting for the characters even as their circumstances grow more dire.
The performances by Bakri and Sabbah are nothing short of extraordinary. Bakri, in particular, captures the essence of Chatila’s internal struggle, portraying the fine line between his natural personality and the behaviours he adopts out of necessity. The warmth between the cousins, despite the harshness of their environment, adds depth to their relationship, making their story even more poignant.
The film refrains from making overtly political statements, but the context and the characters’ experiences naturally bring political issues to the forefront. For Palestinians, whose homeland was taken and whose lives are marked by invisibility in exile, the film’s portrayal of time running out resonates deeply. The characters are depicted with complexity, revealing the contradictions that make them human. Even as they are driven to morally questionable actions, they are shown as individuals with agency, navigating a world that offers them few choices.
To A Land Unknown is a film about survival in its rawest form. It’s a story of people pushed to the brink, where good intentions are often overshadowed by the need to survive. Yet, despite the bleakness of their situation, the warmth of the characters and the depth of their bond offers a glimmer of hope. It’s a film that challenges its audience to look beyond the surface, to understand the complexities of human nature, and to recognize the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of overwhelming adversity
To a Land Unknown is one of 105 films screening as part of the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF)
The full programme of 2024 films is outlined here.
Tickets can be booked online at www.nziff.co.nz