Refugees

Shai Carmeli-Polak's documentary calls attention to one of the ironies of modern Israeli history: although it's a country of immigrants, government policy toward Africans crossing the border from Egypt has been harsh, often resulting in quick deportation to their countries of origin and sometimes in prison sentences. Refugees illustrates the debate, in the Knesset and elsewhere, between government officials who generally support restrictive legislation and activists seeking a less rigid approach, distinguishing between those who argue from mostly practical concerns and those who see the situation as a human rights issue. Carmeli-Polak complements this material with footage following a group of refugees from their arrival through the eventual disposition of their cases, celebrating along the way those volunteers who help the refugees find accommodations (while they await the government's decision), as well as resident refugees who have formed a support group for both themselves and newcomers. The documentary's point of view is obvious from its focus on two people trying to escape the hellish situation in Darfur, which naturally evokes sympathy for their plight and outrage over the seemingly hardhearted attitude of the government. But in the end, the criticism, although directed at Israel, has a broader sweep, as the film notes the ever-growing number of displaced persons in today's conflict-plagued world and the similar reluctance of other nations to take them in. A thought-provoking documentary, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)