Refugees

Synopsis

In 2007, a wave of African refugees crossed the border into Israel. Destitute after having traversed the desert on foot, they crossed the border between Egypt and Israel in the dead of night with the threat of Egyptian gunfire looming over their heads. The Israeli military took the refugees in, but a day later they could be found on the streets because the powers that be were unwilling to take responsibility for them.

The only help offered was by individuals and former refugees who toiled day and night to procure food, clothing and shelter for the newcomers.

This film follows the refugees during the course of one year, documenting the trauma of the various groups and focusing on two personal stories: Adam, who fled from Darfur and arrived in Israel alone while his wife and children were detained by the Egyptians, and Ismail, also from Darfur, who crossed the border with his wife Halima and their four children.

Written and Directed by: Shai Carmeli Pollak

Producers: Zafrir Kochanovsky, Miri Ezra

Cinematography by: Keren Shayo, Yoav Gurfinkel

Additional Photography by: Yoni Masi, Shai Carmeli Pollak, Arik Futterman

Edited by: Tanya Raikhlin

Soundtrack Design by: Itzik Cohen, Gadi Raz, Rei Elbaz

Production company: TTV Productions Ltd