Alain M
"Illégal," directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse, delves into the harsh realities faced by immigrants attempting to enter countries like Belgium. It portrays the struggles, fears, and challenges individuals face when trying to cross borders illegally, shedding light on the human aspect of this complex issue.
The film immerses viewers into the intense and often perilous journey of illegal immigration, focusing on the emotional and physical toll it takes on the individuals involved. It doesn't shy away from depicting the brutality of the system, where individuals are caught in a cycle of vulnerability, exploitation, and desperation.
Through its poignant storytelling, "Illégal" confronts the audience with the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding immigration policies. It challenges viewers to confront the harsh realities faced by those seeking a better life but finding themselves caught in a web of bureaucracy, exploitation, and fear.
The performances are raw and compelling, drawing the audience into the emotional turmoil experienced by the characters. The cinematography and direction effectively capture the tension and anxiety permeating the lives of illegal immigrants, highlighting the human cost of stringent immigration laws.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
12/30/23
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Audience Member
Illégal d Olivier Masset-Depasse met en image les événements relatés par les citoyens témoins de scènes de violences et relayés par la presse Française, faisant suite aux expulsions commandités par le gouvernement. C est a travers le personnage de Tonia, une mère d origine Russe, interprétée par l excellente Anne Coesens, que nous entrons dans ce monde fermé révoltant et indignant de la machine répressive des "sans-papier". Fort et saisissant, ce film tourné camera a l épaule nous fait vivre de l intérieur les doutes, la peur mais aussi l extraordinaire courage et volonté de ces gens fuyants leurs pays pour peut être un jour réussir a survivre ailleurs. Si le style impose une mise en scène plutôt simple, elle est loin d être inexistante et le break musical est tout simplement magnifique, nous ramenant a la vie, empli d espoir ... Un espoir bien éphémère que l incarcération se chargera de mettre a son niveau. Un film dérangeant, tristement réaliste, mais qui laisse comme l impulsion d une chance que c est encore au peuple de faire certain choix ...
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
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Audience Member
How can an illegal immigrant have braces? I wonderd the whole time. Otherwise not bad.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
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Audience Member
Anne Coesens delivers a powerful performance as Tania, a young Russian mother who lives in Belgium. When she is denied permanent residence in the country Tania resorts to desperate measures in order to hide from the authorities, but even those measures may not be enough.
Olivier Masset-Depasse has created a poignant tale of a very current subject. He has used official reports as well as interviews of immigration officials as a basis for a tale that is not atypical in todayâ(TM)s Europe. Taniaâ(TM)s story might have easily become a powerful emotional drama, but Masset-Depasse opts to approach a touchy subject with cold analytical detachment and an almost documentary kind of aesthetic style. The absence of manipulation is truly commendable.
âIllegalâ? challenges many emotional assumptions on illegal immigration and points out at many illogical aspects in the system that handles the phenomenon. The movie does- of course- have a certain amount of political agenda behind it, but it concentrates more on asking questions than on making declarations. Through logic and honesty this piece emerges as a relevant and extremely compelling creation that will force you to think about the subject matter yourself.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
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Audience Member
The way the scenes are put together make it lifelike, the way it is acted makes it believable. The way events are displayed in the news almost makes it feel like a documentary. The way things are in the real world outside makes one wonder how far from the truth the film is.The film leaves a vile taste in the mouth that will stick around for some time after leaving the cinema, an impression that might be permanent. An effect that is gained through the combination of realistic behaviour, excellent acting and compelling story. All in all, a true work of art.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/02/23
Full Review
Audience Member
In real life, not in this delicate and highly emotional film, is less talk or debate about the core problem of migration or why do people want to settle far away from their homeland? Who in the right mind wants to leave family, friends, home, culture and language behind? We know, millions do, but why and who is at fault? The answer is simple: Corrupt Governments. But the film ILLEGAL is not a political drama at all, it is a strong, emotional tale about a mother and her struggle to make sure her young son will be all right and grow up in freedom to become a decent person. The price is way to high but like any respectable and caring mother the sky is the limit, Tania would go to any length to protect her family's well being. From beginning to end this fine Belgian film will keep your emotions high and often will make you angry, it made me wanting to get involved and do something for her, but soon I realized, I am watching an extraordinary film and I am useless, except feel for the brave mother. Watching Illegal, Milos Foreman's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and Alejandro Iñárritu's "Biutiful" comes to mind for they both deal with the human condition, the struggle to be alive and make it into the world.
This is the second feature film for the talented Belgian writer/director Olivier Masset-Depasse who worked with the equally talented and beautiful actress Anne Coesens in both his feature films. Anne's screen presence is as dramatic as it is magical, her acting control and evenness is compelling. I hope you will LOVE this film as much as I do, not only for the subject matters, one of them being migration, that it is controversial and not easy to digest for many natives, but also for the extraordinary script, direction, acting and editing.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
Full Review
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