(2016)
Short documentary
Length: 25 minutes
This film shows the daily life of a coast guard captain on Lesbos as the Greek island’s residents struggle to rescue and care for thousands of refugees fleeing war in Syria.
Viewer Warning!
Much of this film consists of footage from boat rescues, including some disturbing images, which should be taken into account when considering whether to show to broad audiences and especially young viewers.
Additional Discussion Questions (click here for NNIRR Media Literacy Discussion Guide for additional general discussion questions):
1. According to this film, who is responsible or at fault for the crisis of refugee deaths in the Mediterranean Sea?
2. What other factors, not mentioned in the film, do you think are part of the context?
3. At one point in the film, someone asks why the refugees took the risk of crossing the sea in windy conditions. What is your reaction to this question? How would you respond?
Resources:
- 15 Years of Fortress Europe: Interactive map of migrant and refugee deaths on the way to Europe, or trying to stay in Europe.
- Greece: A Year of Suffering for Asylum Seekers (Human Rights Watch, March 2017)
- Syrian refugee crisis: All your questions answered (AlJazeera, May 2017)
- Seven worrying trends in the European refugee crisis (October, 2016)
- Understanding Migration and Asylum in the European Union (Open Society Foundation, December 2016)
- Europe’s Refugee Response Undermines International Norms—and the EU (World Politics Review, March 2016)
- Why Migrants Keep Risking the ‘Deadliest Route’ (New York Times, June 2017)