Europa

Kamal, a young Iraqi man entering Europe on foot through the border between Turkey and Bulgaria, is captured by Bulgarian border police but escapes, finding himself having to then find a way out in a seemingly interminable forest, where he is wounded and chased by Bulgarian migrant hunters. For three days and three nights Kamal must fight for his life while on a journey of survival filled with life-or-death confrontations.  

Europa is based on real events that happen on the so-called ‘Balkan Route’, where migrants are smuggled into Europe across the Turkish border and are often subject to violence, intimidation and illegal pushback. The goal for Iraqi Italian filmmaker Haider Rashid was to create an immersive experience that would create questions in the audience’s mind, testing their definition of empathy, as they are visceral thrust into Kamal perspective as he tries to survive and remain a human being during his terrifying journey. 

Melbourne screenings presented by Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Melbourne. 

Sydney screenings presented by Istituto Italiano di Cultura.