Documentary about undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers whose asylum claim has been rejected, as they await deportation from Frambois detention centre near Geneva. Tensions run very high because the ‘detainees’ are confined and then deported without any official or legal procedure whatsoever.
Switzerland is the country with Europe’s toughest immigration laws. Thousands of men and women are locked up every year without any legal procedure. Asylum seekers and immigrants are branded as illegal and robbed of their freedom until deported from the country.
In this documentary we follow undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers whose claim has been rejected as they await deportation from Frambois administrative detention centre. Tensions run high. Relations based on friendship, respect, hate and animosity are formed here, until they hear who is to be deported immediately. Heartbreaking news for many. If they refuse to board the airplane voluntarily, they are tied up, blindfolded and put on a ‘special flight’.
Just like in his earlier documentary The Fortress, Melgar again shows himself to be a masterly and careful observer in Special Flight. You won’t catch him pointing the finger of blame or striving for emotional shock effect. Even so, his films mercilessly put the finger on the sore spot of a ruthless system.
Special Guest: immigration lawyer Frans-Willem Verbaas
After the movie, you can ask everything you want to know about detention to immigration lawyer Frans-Willem Verbaas (Collet International). Verbaas is mainly concerned with asylum cases. Next to that, he litigates about custody and detention procedures, such as solitary confinement, border detention, and issues like ventilation.
Watch the trailer:
About Outdoor Cinema: migration
This summer Humanity House opens its terrace for a series of open-air films: Outdoor Cinema 2016! The theme this year is migration.
We are showing films and documentaries from all corners of the world about people who take the momentous decision to leave their homeland. Leaving a dangerous place, arriving in the land of their dreams, or stranded in a place where they don’t want to be at all: how do they relate to new and unknown surroundings, and to policies often aimed at keeping them out? Come to this special summer cinema series and step into the world of the migrant.
Why this docu?
Programmer Carry: “The documentary shows the final destination that so many migrants fear. Every politician will tell you that deportation policy is part of asylum policy. This documentary shows how complicated it is and how the interests and wellbeing of migrants are subservient to policy. You are drawn into the world of migration and you ask yourself how you and your conscience relate to it.”
Good to know
Director:Fernand Melgar
Length: 103 minutes
Subtitles: English subtitles
Attention! the film starts at sunset (around 9.30 pm)
Rain: If it rains we will screen the film in our (covered!) Genèva Room
All films in the open air
28-07-16 Film: Stranded in Canton
03-08-16 Docu: The Tiniest Place
04-08-16 Film: Norteado
10-08-16 Docu: A World Not Ours
11-08-16 Film: Children of Men
17-08-16 Docu: They will have to kill us first
18-08-16 Film: Dheepan
24-08-16 Docu: Special Flight
25-08-16 Film: The Terminal