“Barefoot and Broken: A Journey into the Heart of Europe’s Refugee Crisis”
“Where Does Europe End?” is a powerful and eye-opening documentary about the refugee crisis on Europe’s borders. The film takes us to the heart of the conflict, to the border regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, where refugees are facing violence, exploitation, and illegal deportations at the hands of European police forces. The film follows a family on their 61st journey across the border, a young boy whose dream of a life in Europe is slowly slipping away, and the harsh reality of the violence and exploitation they face. The film also explores the infamous pushbacks, where refugees are taken by police forces, stripped of their belongings including their shoes, money, and clothes, and then beaten and forced to walk back across the border, often miles away from their starting point.
The film is narrated by director Daimon Xanthopoulos and accompanied by the lens of seasoned war photographer Eddy van Wessel. The interplay between the two creates an intimate look into the lives of the refugees and brings their stories to the forefront, shedding light on a situation that often goes unseen and ignored. “Where Does Europe End?” is a call to action, reminding us of our obligation to uphold human rights and dignity, and to fight against the violence and exploitation taking place on our own doorstep. It’s a film that informs, educates, and inspires, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
• PUBLICATIONS Trouw national daily paper – • LFI Leica Fotografie International magazine
• AWARDS Winnaar De TEGEL Storimans Award 2022 (DE TEGEL Storimans prijs is een belangrijke Nederlandse prijs voor excellent journalistiek camerawerk)
• Selected for the official IDFA filmfestivals 2022 Docs for Sale
• TV NPO uitzending op 7 December, NPO2 extra om 21:55 – 22:20
