Presented by Devon, Ben, and Patrick
Summary
The film Human Flow (2017) is a documentary created by Ai Weiwei. Taking place in 23 countries, the documentary captures the harsh lives and stories of those involved within the refugee crisis. Ai Weiwei followed around individuals on their search for safety and freedom. Through refugee camps, crossing numerous oceans, to crossing dangerous borders, the film encapsulates the significant question on if we as humans will continue to act in our selfish ways, or if we choose a more open path full of understanding and freedom for all of humanity.
Transnational
A transnational film would be any film that involves and expresses issues or common themes that can be felt all around the world through globalization.
Human Flow can easily be argued as a transnational film as it takes place in over 20 countries (23 to be exact). The film also focuses’ on the refugee crisis, which is currently happening all over the world.
- Displaying the youth.
– Important cut from the two scientists talking about Izmir while kids keep rushing to the camera.
– Displays how the Turkish law is against providing International rights. Therefore no income for rent or food, no school
- This father suffering through poverty.
– He has no income or employment to support his large family. Some have drowned and starved to death, discussing his memories in this horrific atmosphere.
– Graveyard setting and the dark background colors. The experiences he has made display the intolerance to the refugees and the editing of the close shots of his tears make the film effective in displaying challenges for the country
The Larger Themes of Human Flow
Global reaction to migrants and natives. From a New York Times article “ The camera shows a world in which, step by step, crisis by crisis, borders have become by turns absurd and immaterial.“ For many who live with direct contact with immigrants there is no problem. When there is no direct contact a disconnect forms and from there ignorance and misunderstanding forms causing much backlash.
Contrast to non-migratory life. Serves as reference point to people whose lives are in a better position.
But why is it important?
As we have seen with other films that discussed the topic of immigration, national identity, and cultural memory, Human Flow is yet another avenue to allow the viewer to compare or relate to aspects of the film. This quote from the Guardian writer Peter Bradshaw sums it up nicely. “Weiwei’s approach is clearly not to furnish political explanations, still less political solutions – although these are touched on towards the end of the film – but rather to make the leap of empathy, to understand what being a migrant is like in human terms.“
Sources:
Bradshaw, Peter. “Human Flow Review – Ai Weiwei Surveys Shocking Plight of Migrants on the Move | Peter Bradshaw’s Film of the Week.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 7 Dec. 2017, www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/07/human-flow-review-ai-weiwei-migration-documentary.
Dargis, Manohla. “Review: Ai Weiwei’s ‘Human Flow’ Tracks the Global Migrant Crisis.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/movies/human-flow-review-ai-weiwei.html.