Refugee Week – Short Films

This year, Counterpoints Arts and Other Cinemas – two organisations who work across intersections of racial justice, migration, and climate – have collaborated on a film programme taking place June 16th-22nd for a community-powered week!

Tuesday 17 June, 12:30pm

JOURNEY MERCIES by Tomisin Adepeju

This personal story reflects on cultural identity, grief, and the meaning of “home.” Inspired by Adepeju’s own experience as a Nigerian immigrant in London, the film explores his parents’ unfulfilled dream of returning to Nigeria to live in the house they built. Captured in the nostalgic VHS aesthetic of classic Nollywood, it beautifully portrays the immigrant experience and the deep longing for belonging.

Duration 15 mins. English subtitles available.

AND

Scent of Geranuim by Naghmeh Farzaneh

By using her own experience as an Iranian international student in the U.S., Farzaneh gives voice to the fears, doubts, and complex range of emotions that immigrants face and makes a powerful call for a more compassionate approach.

Duration: 5 mins. English subtitles available. Animation.

Thursday 18 June, 12:30pm

Nanitic by Carol Nugyen

“Nanitics” are the first-generation worker ants, who sacrifice their lives for the survival of the colony. These symbols parallel the lives of immigrant families throughout the generations. 9-year-old Trang starts to shift out of oblivion as her aunt Ut tends to Grandma, who lies on her deathbed in the living room. What will happen when Grandma is gone?

Duration: 14 mins. Subtitled in English

AND

Burnt Milk by Joseph Douglas Elmhirst

Burnt Milk is a film named after the common Caribbean dessert made by boiling condensed milk until it’s caramelised. In the film, this dessert is one of the few comforts afforded to Una, an alienated and isolated Jamaican midwife living in the United Kingdom.

Duration: 14 mins. Subtitled in English