Watch Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus

Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus is a documentary film directed by Keren Shayo and commissioned by Al Jazeera English. The movie was released in 2015 and it explores the perilous journey of Eritrean refugees as they flee their homeland and make their way to Europe through Libya and across the Mediterranean Sea. The film opens in Eritrea, a small country in the Horn of Africa which has been under the oppressive rule of President Isaias Afwerki since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The government is known for its use of conscription, arbitrary arrest, and torture, leading many Eritreans to seek a better life elsewhere. The film shows the daily struggles of these people, including farmers and workers, who live in constant fear of being conscripted into military service or arrested by the government.

From Eritrea, the film follows a group of refugees as they make their way to Libya. They travel in groups, often concealed in the back of trucks, and face multiple challenges and dangers. They must navigate harsh terrain, avoid detection by the authorities, and fend off attacks by bandits and traffickers who exploit the migrants for profit. The majority of these refugees have no money and no belongings, and they depend on help from smugglers to make it to the next stop.

Once in Libya, the refugees face a new set of challenges. The political instability in the country has led to a booming smuggling industry, and many people are kidnapped and held for ransom. The refugees must also endure harsh living conditions in makeshift camps, where they are often detained for weeks or months before being able to move on. The film captures the desperation and despair of the refugees as they wait for their turn to sail across the Mediterranean.

The most dangerous part of the journey is the crossing itself. The refugees must board overcrowded boats, often lacking basic safety features, and make the dangerous journey across the sea. Many boats capsize or run out of fuel, leaving the refugees stranded in the middle of the ocean. The film captures several rescue missions by non-profit organizations, each of which struggle with the sheer scale of the crisis.

Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus is a powerful and evocative film that sheds light on the human cost of the refugee crisis. It brings the stories of the refugees to the forefront and highlights the desperation of these individuals as they try to escape one of the world's most repressive regimes. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as the refugees never lose hope even in the face of extreme adversity.

The movie is filmed in a verité style, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the refugee crisis. The filmmakers do not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of the situation and the scenes can be quite brutal and hard-hitting at times. The cinematography is striking and visceral, conveying the sense of danger and urgency that pervades the story.

The narration is delivered by Chris Cotter, a journalist who has been covering the refugee crisis in Europe for several years. Cotter's voice is calm and measured, providing the perfect counterpoint to the chaos and confusion on the screen. He explains the complex geopolitical issues that surround the crisis, giving the viewer a broader context within which to understand the events on screen.

In conclusion, Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus is a compelling and important film that shines a light on the plight of refugees and the human cost of political repression. The documentary is shot beautifully and narrated articulately, making it both a visual and educational treat. This film is a must-watch for anyone interested in global politics, human rights and the refugee crisis.

Refugee: The Eritrean Exodus is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 9.0.