Waiting is a group effort.|Apr. 30, 2021|United Kingdom|104 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Drama
Description: The 2021 movie *Limbo* is a poignant exploration of the migrant crisis, masterfully blending humor and humanity. Directed and written by Ben Sharrock, this second feature film offers a tender and deadpan look into the life of a Syrian refugee, avoiding pitfalls like cultural insensitivity and patronizing tones. Instead, it delivers a story that is insightful, genuine, and universally relatable.
Set against the backdrop of the international refugee crisis, *Limbo* stands out as a small miracle. Unlike other films that focus heavily on physical and psychological suffering, Sharrock’s work defies exploitative despair. While it doesn’t ignore the pain and spiritual wounds of its characters, it approaches their struggles from a refreshing angle. The film’s narrative emphasizes themes of alienation and misplacement, supported by thoughtful visual compositions that highlight isolation and negative space.
The story centers on Omar, a Syrian refugee played by the exceptional Amir El-Masry. A gifted musician who once mastered the oud in Syria, Omar now finds himself in a state of limbo on a remote Scottish island, awaiting the outcome of his asylum case. Unable to play his instrument due to a hand injury and fear, he carries his grandfather’s oud as a constant reminder of his past. With his family scattered—his parents in Istanbul and his brother still in Syria fighting in the resistance—Omar spends his days in quiet melancholy, often gazing into the distance or spending time with fellow refugees.
*Limbo* is a deeply humanistic film that captures the absurdities and sorrows of displacement while offering a unique perspective on resilience and hope.
Cast director: Ben Sharrock
Cast actor: Amir ElMasry, Vikash Bhai, Ola Orebiyi, Kwabena Ansah, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Qais Nashif, Kenneth Collard, Sanjeev Kohli, Cameron Fulton, Lewis Gribben
Original name: Limbo