An Ordinary Life

Description: Fadhumo is a Somali refugee living in Berlin. Helen is an Eritrean refugee living with her husband and young daughter in Tel Aviv. Both are refugee-rights activists that face societies that are increasingly hostile. Yet in Germany, Angela Merkel’s government recently welcomed one million refugees and her Integration Minister engages with Fadhumo to improve conditions for these like her. In Israel by comparison, Bibi Netanyahu rails against ‘illegal infiltrators’ and his government is committed to expelling or interning them in prison camps. Helen’s husband, a Tel Aviv restaurant chef and a Eritrean jail torture survivor is terrified by his prospects. The family is applying for a visa to Australia.

Merits: While the film acknowledges that Germany’s welcome to refugees has been rescinded and that anti-immigrant AFD is now the main opposition party, it is nonetheless even more critical of the situation in Israel. At a Tel Aviv demonstration against the persecution of African refugees, a holocaust survivor is disgusted that a country established by refugees treats others with so much disdain. This film exposes the cynicism of Israeli politicians that stoke intolerance in order to win popularity.

Rating: Strong language.

Programming considerations: The appeal of this documentary to Jewish film festival audiences is limited to it’s critique of Israeli policy towards refugees. However, it may be suitable for a joint event with a Human Rights or a Refugee rights organisation.

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