In This World (2002)

Director:

Michael Winterbottom

Writer:

Tony Grisoni (writer)

Release Date:

28 March 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The journey to freedom has no borders.

Plot:

Enayat and Jamal are Afghan refugees who live in a camp in Peshawar and try to escape to Great Britain by the help of people smugglers...

Plot Keywords:

Smuggling | Refugee | Afghanistan

Awards:

Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jamal Udin Torabi	...	Jamal
Enayatullah	...	Enayat
Imran Paracha	...	Travel Agent (Pakistan)
Hiddayatullah	...	Enayat's Brother (Pakistan)
Jamau	...	Enayat's Father (Pakistan)
Wakeel Khan	...	Enayat's Uncle 1 (Pakistan)
Lal Zarin	...	Enayat's Uncle 2 (Pakistan)
Ahsan Raza	...	Money Changer (Pakistan)
Mirwais Torabi	...	Jamal's Older Brother (Pakistan)
Abdul Ahmad	...	Groom (Pakistan)
Amanullah Torabi	...	Jamal's Younger Brother (Pakistan)
Ramzan Ali	...	Driver 1 (Pakistan)
Chaman Ali	...	Driver 2 (Pakistan)
Rasheed	...	Soldier Shaheen (Pakistan)
Allah Bauhsh	...	Farid (Pakistan)

Also Known As:

The Silk Road (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for brief strong language.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

UK

Language:

Pashtu | Persian | English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:T | Hungary:14 | South Korea:15 | Brazil:12 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | New Zealand:R13

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company:

Film Consortium, The

Trivia:

The film had two working titles before settling on its final name. While it was being shot, it was known as "The Silk Road". This was primarily as a cover, since officials in many countries were told the film was a documentary about that historical subject. Later, it was known as "M1187511", which was the UK Home Office's file number for the real-life Jamal's application for refugee status. Before its release however, the title was changed to "In This World". As Michael Winterbottom describes on the DVD, the title came from a line in the film where Jamal was translated as saying that a central character was dead. Jamal informed Winterbottom, on seeing this, that it was inaccurate. What he had actually said was that the man was "no longer in this world". Hence the film's title.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Goedemorgen Nederland: (2003-10-16)" (2003)

excellent, a very important film

It's really impossible to describe how beautiful this film is.

I've been a fan of Michael Winterbotom since I saw Jude. I still remember how much some of his movies like Jude or I want you had affected me, but this time the great film-maker from England has exceeded my expectations. At times where racism is everywhere, Winterbottom dares to go to "other side" and make a film about the poor people from Afghanistan who suffered the most when Bush and his allies bombed their already very poor country. How these refugees go to Pakistan live in tents and everything they have to go through when they decide to search for a better life in one of the world's biggest cities like London. The things the 2 young people have to go through are presented in such a way that it makes you understand that these things REALLY happen. This film makes you aware of some of the most important problems in the world, such as inequality, poverty and even crime. It's not that we don't know about these things already, it's just that we tend to forget them.

Last year it was "Lilja 4ever" that made me more of aware of the problem of child prostitution and this year it was "In this World" who made me wonder if there is a way that I could help all these unfortunate people. Stories like "In this World" and Lilja 4ever" (which I recommend to anyone who believes this film is important and a must-see for everyone who wants to be called a human being) can really change the world and make us better people. And therefore they are very important.