The MMB series Childhood on the Move continues with a discussion of Michael Winterbottom's renowned film.

In This World (Michael Winterbottom, 2002)

Shot on digital video camcorders, with non-professional actors, this drama documentary follows two young Afghan boys, Jamal Udin Torabi and his cousin Enayatullah, as they embark on an arduous journey from Shamshatoo refugee camp in Pakistan across Iran, Turkey, Italy and France to seek asylum in the UK.

The film is in Pashtu and Farsi with English subtitles.

We invite members to watch the film in their own time (a link will be provided) then join us online to discuss its representation of children on the move and its role in the asylum debate. The film received widespread plaudits and won the Golden Bear Prize at the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival but it also raised questions around the ethics of its use of two non-professional child actors to play the lead roles, one of whom later repeated the journey to the UK to seek asylum.

Format:

The discussion will be led by Naz Massoumi, Lecturer in Film and Television and co-ordinator of the MMB film group in motion. A Zoom link and a link to the film will be sent out to attendees the day before. Bring your own lunch!

Everyone is welcome. We are seeking to make our events accessible to everyone, so please let us know if you face barriers we could address.

MMB’s ‘Childhood on the Move’ series includes webinars, film screenings and blogs that open up the discussion about how child migrants are viewed around the world and how they challenge the stereotypes and controls placed upon them.

'In This World': an MMB film group discussion