“An absolutely essential work of socially conscious filmmaking.”

Two men sit on a park bench in Athens, blending into the surroundings, which proves to be a slightly easier task than they expected considering no one necessarily takes notice of them. It leads them to wonder if they simply resemble the locals enough not to draw any attention, or if they have found themselves in a city where the residents don’t have too much concern about seeing foreigners littered around their neighborhoods. This is particularly important to them considering they are Palestinian refugees who have made the Greek capital their temporary home as they search for sanctuary from the ongoing conflict taking place in their country, but which also eventually becomes a burden to them when they realize that they have to find a way to make a living. This is the foundation for To a Land Unknown, a poignant and mesmerizing drama directed by Mahdi Fleifel in his second feature-length endeavor, after over a decade working in short-subject and anthology films. It follows the day-to-day exploits of cousins Chatila and Reda as they attempt to make ends meet in this new city, which often requires them to take desperate measures and even resort to petty crime in order to support themselves, knowing that it is impossible for them to return home for the time being. A fascinating and well-crafted blend of themes and visual motifs, the film presents another deeply captivating voyage into the human condition, as seen through the eyes of characters who have moved past the point of aspiring to a life of luxury, and who simply want to survive by any means necessary.

Familiarity is a key component in a lot of socially charged storytelling, since it is important to situate the viewer in a world they recognize, even if only from a distance. To a Land Unknown is a film that draws many correlations with existing works, at least in terms of structure and themes. It starts as the story of two down-on-their-luck individuals who have managed to escape their war-torn homeland, but now have to attempt to blend into another society. Initially the film plays out like a traditional drama of cultures clashing. This is essentially the story of a city and the people within, starting as a spirited exploration of a cultural melting pot and how it can act as both sanctuary and purgatory for those who choose to call it their home, even only momentarily. Through these elements Fleifel cobbles together a film that initially starts as a charming observational blend of humor and melancholy, but then eventually devolves into a more complex character study that highlights the bleakness of the immigrant experience and how so many people are confronted with some harsh realities when seeking refuge in other countries. The fundamental conversation revolves around identity and its erosion, with both protagonists (as well as a couple of supporting characters that weave in and out of the film) leading transient lives, where they’re not able to settle into a comfortable existence and instead have to move through life with a sense of fluidity in both their own personal perception and their willingness to make some severe sacrifices that those in more privileged, secure positions can never fathom, and where living in a state of limbo can be both a blessing and a burden.

From a purely conceptual perspective, To a Land Unknown is certainly familiar in terms of the ideas it explores, but it’s within this element that we find some of the most innovative directorial choices being made. Fleifel uses a century of realist cinema to guide the film, taking a relatively straightforward approach to exploring these themes. Visually, the film is quite unfurnished and direct, making use of simple techniques to tell its story, but still finding intriguing ways to observe the characters as they make their way through life. The camera constantly inches closer to the protagonists, creating a feeling of intimacy (or perhaps even voyeurism to an extent) as we peer into their lives and follow them as they attempt to make it through another day. The story moves with a unique rhythm, making some fascinating tonal shifts throughout that prevent it from being entirely easy to define once we reach the core of the narrative; a core that is truly innovative and daring in structure, which comes as a surprise considering how it is guided by a very simple approach that is intentionally reworked and subverted as the film progresses. The director is also helped by the fact that he found kindred spirits in Mahmood Bakri and Aram Sabbagh, whose portrayals of the two leads anchor this film and give it an additional layer of authenticity, particularly since they exhibit a very compelling sense of fluidity in terms of their performances, being capable of shifting their characterization to match the unconventional and ever-changing tempo of the narrative. Visually and tonally, this film is a marvel and proves to be as well-crafted as it is ambitious, resulting in quite an impactful series of moments.

Tackling a number of challenging themes with unexpected poise and ambition, To a Land Unknown is a hauntingly beautiful existential odyssey that is as audacious as it is disquieting, becoming an absolutely essential work of socially conscious filmmaking that could not feel more urgent than it does right now, both in how it addresses the current situation in the Middle East, as well as contributing to the ongoing discourse around the refugee crisis and how these supposed sanctuaries can often be more treacherous and difficult to navigate than they appear on the surface. More than anything else, To a Land Unknown is a poignant and poetic exploration of two individuals who set out to establish a better life for themselves, but who ultimately struggle to find that elusive sense of belonging that is integral to both the psychological and emotional well-being of any person. The film follows these characters as they set out in search of a home, both literally and metaphorically, showing their personal challenges and the conflicts that arise when they realize that they will likely always be outsiders, even if they choose to return to their homeland (as the haunting quote by Edward Said that starts the film boldly states), culminating in a powerful and harrowing realist drama that depicts the vivid struggles of a community simply seeking a place to call home without fearing for their lives. Deeply captivating, To a Land Unknown is a powerful work of contemporary global storytelling and a film that presents a stark image of reality, in the hopes of creating a more authentic depiction of this ongoing crisis and the people who have been misplaced, paying tribute to them and the many others who have found themselves seeking a home in a hostile world.