Dreaming of Denmark
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| Dreaming of Denmark | |
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| Directed by | Michael Graversen |
| Produced by | Lise Saxtrup |
| Distributed by | Autlook Filmsales |
Release date | 5th November 2015 (DK) - 16th March (Int.) |
Running time | 62 mins. |
| Country | DK |
Dreaming of Denmark is an award-winning and topical documentary film by director Michael Graversen that investigates what happens to the many unaccompanied minor refugees who disappear in Europe. The film was released at the peak of the refugee crisis in Europe in 2015/16.
Synopsis
Director Michael Graversen’s eye-opening film investigates what happens to the many unaccompanied minor refugees who disappear in Europe after their asylum claim is rejected.[1] Over the course of 4 years the director follows the faith of the young afghan Wasiullah as he embarks on a journey through the shady side of Europe in search of a home after his claim for asylum in Denmark was rejected. The film provides brutally honest depictions of the transience, isolation and frightening uncertainty he faces.
Reception and impact
Dreaming of Denmark premiered at CPH:DOX[2] and was nominated for a F:ACT Award. It was broadcast on Danish national TV DR1 and had a primetime slot on Sunday evening. The premiere was at a time when the refugee situation in Europe was at its peak hence the film had a big impact not only on the public debate in Denmark but also internationally.
After the release in Denmark the film sparked national debate in TV, radio and newspapers about the conditions of the unaccompanied minor refugees in Denmark. The director Michael Graversen has since regularly appeared in the public debate in Denmark advocating of the rights of young and child refugees[3] as well as traveling with the film giving interviews and participating in debate panels.
In 2016 the director was awarded the Salaam Film Prize 2016[4] for his pioneering work filming the unaccompanied minors in Denmark not only in "Dreaming of Denmark" but also in the predecessor "No Man's Land" (2013) set before the refugee crisis. Internationally the film has sparked debates and created attention in countries affected by the refugee situation such as Australia, Austria, Italy, Belgrade, Greece etc. Examples: When the film was screened on the main Austrian channel ORF it was followed by an hour long debate about human rights and ABC News in Australia gave the film and its subject attention at the Australian release.[5]
The film won the Amnesty Award at Giffoni International Film Festival.[6] Huffington Post wrote after the Greek premiere at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival where the film was a part of a highlighted segment focusing of films about the refugees crisis: "My favorite was Michael Graversen’s Dreaming of Denmark, which directly puts you in the shoes of an Afghan teenager who, unable to get residency in Denmark and afraid to be deported, leaves Denmark with nothing on his back to find a new life in Italy".[7] Danish film magazine EKKO wrote: ""What is at stake in the portrait, is the human consequences of a youth growing up as a shadow existence with nothing to cling on to than the hope to be let. Wasis Sisyphean existence is a profound input in the refugee debate and Dreaming of Denmark is something as rare as an important film.".[8]
Festivals and awards
- Amnesty Award, Giffoni International Film Festival
- 2. prize Best Documentary, Giffoni International Film Festival
- Lübeck, Nordische Filmtage
- Japan Prize, International Educational Program Contest
- Helsinki International Film Festival
- Human District, Belgrade
- Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
- Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Amsterdam
- Bucharest One World, Romania
- Document Human Rights Film Festival, Glasgow
- Human Rights & Arts Film Festival, Melbourne
- BUFF International Children's Film festival, Malmø
- Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Amsterdam
- Salaam Film Festival, DK
- CPH:DOX, F:ACT Award nominee
References
- ^ Dreaming of Denmark info at The Danish Film Institute
- ^ Dreaming of Denmark at CPH:DOX
- ^ "We have a responsibility towards unaccompanied minor refugees"
- ^ Salaam Film Prize 2016
- ^ "Documentary highlights plight of children seeking asylums", 6th May 2016, ABC News
- ^ "Double success of Dreaming of Denmark: Amnesty International Award and the second prize at Giffoni International Film Festival", 2nd August 2016, Doc Incubator
- ^ "The Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival: From Janis Joplin and Bjork to Refugees from Syria", 6st July 2016, Huffington Post
- ^ "Review: Dreaming of Denmark", 5th November 2016, Ekko