Documentary Project- Human Flow

 

Human Flow by Ai Weiwei

 

    Human Flow is a documentary that combines information, experiences and powerful imagery to create an intimate understanding of the human refugee crisis going on around the world. Director Ai Weiwei included all the sights and sounds of a refugee’s day to day routine, as well as, information on how they were being affected by the decisions of the governments they were relying on.

1. Was there a specific scene that got to you? Describe and explain how it moved you (Angry? Curious? Delighted? Motivated?). Give a lot of detail, and really dive in to how it affected you. Don’t hold back.

    There was a scene about halfway through the movie right as you are understanding the tone of the film where the director Ai Weiwei is receiving a haircut from a refugee at one of the camps. The camera is on his face from the neck up and you see his eyes panning toward the camera as the sheers his hair. At this moment you really feel that this film was not just meant to be informational, but also a topic close to the director. At this moment I began seeing how much he respected and cared for these people. He cares about them not because of the conditions of where they are, but who they are and what their story entails.

2. What surprised you?   

    The way that the host countries received the refugees surprised me. These are entire groups of people who did not have another option but to flee their war-torn countries. They are finally in a better place after the trek that they have made but now they are fighting new battles trying to survive. We are all human. There are groups which are helping them get to a place where they can have basic human needs but unless they are accepted by a host nation with open arms, their quality of life will not improve. You never know what that kid in the refugee camp will one day be if nurtured properly. They could possibly the pride of your nation.

3. What questions remain after the viewing? What feelings stayed with you after the film? Did they “pop up” in your life in unexpected ways? When? How? What was that like?

    I am curious about what has changed since the documentary was released. Have refugee numbers increased or decreased. Are the conditions they are being held any better or are they being accepted by any host countries. I am aware of a large refugee camp which caught fire in recent news which I want to research more about. This is a topic that I think we are mostly shielded from, which is potentially only exacerbating the problem.

    Although this topic may not have a happy ending any time soon, I am looking forward to researching the current status of the refugee crisis and hopefully finding ways in which I could help support the groups assisting in their transitions. If anything, this documentary has opened my eyes to a crisis I am unfamiliar with. It has allowed me to be a little humbler and understanding of other people’s stories and listening with an open mind to their unique chapter.