To a Land Unknown

‘In a way, it is the fate of the Palestinians not to end up where they started, but somewhere unexpected and far away.’ To a Land Unknown opens with these words by Palestinian-American writer Edward Said. In the case of cousins Chatila and Reda, “unexpected and far away” means the Greek capital Athens, where they ended up after fleeing Lebanon.

On their way to their dream of a safe existence in Germany, Chatila has had to leave his family behind and Reda is struggling with a drug addiction. They have no money, no passports and no options, but they take care of a young boy from Gaza and meet a lonely Greek woman. After a disastrous event, Chatila makes a drastic decision. To escape, they must become what they despise: smugglers.

To a Land Unknown is the first feature film by internationally acclaimed Danish-Palestinian director Mahdi Fleifel, and after an acclaimed world premiere in Cannes, it toured festivals in Europe, Asia and Australia. Based on real experiences and documentaries, Fleifel created a nerve-racking, heart-wrenching crime thriller that never loses its heart. The film is both unvarnished and ruthless, yet nuanced and humane, allowing the characters to retain their full, complex dignity. A devastating look at the harsh reality of refugee life on the fringes of Europe. 

To a Land Unknown is part of the “Filmmakers at Risk” selection at the Northern Film Festival, along with five other films from different programme lines and the panel on Friday afternoon: Filmmaking at Risk: The World is Watching.

After Friday's screening, actor Mouataz Alshaltouh will be present for a post-screening discussion.