Around the world opinions about immigrants and illegal immigration are thrown around so casually by the common man. Those who have them coming into their countries despise them, mostly. This film gives you an inside view of the entire process. Such a beautiful film for more awareness about what it really takes sometimes, for immigrants to escape and what the leave behind. The kids and the life is beautiful esque relationship between the father daughters was the nicest part of the film for me.
9 Reviews
A decent reminder: Life is hard, but let's be courageous!
actress_tw17 April 2019
Following the dual point of view from the filmmaker (- as a documentary director as well as a refugee), we, far from the war zone, are taken into a long journey named uncertainty, with the filmmaker's own family on the run towards EU. With its main characters full of love and determination, and regardless of the imbalance on the film's technical side, this docu-drama is simply so engaging not just because of the whole run/adventure being dramatic and suspenseful in nature, but because the filmmakers are deeply honest, reflective, and COURAGEOUS. A decent reminder to all of us --Life is hard, but let's be courageous!
Afghan family's brave, harrowing journey chronicled with cell phones as they flee Taliban oppressors
Turfseer17 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
After watching the new documentary Midnight Traveler by Afghan filmmaker Hassan Fazili and his wife Fatima Hussaini, one feels lucky to live in a free country. Fazili had already fled his native Afghanistan to Tajikistan after the Taliban put a price on his head but they were unable to obtain asylum in that country and were deported back to Afghanistan. It was then that Fazili and his wife made the momentous decision to emigrate to Europe along with their two young children. Utilizing three cell phone cameras, they documented their journey which lasted about three years.
Often with the aid of smugglers (who rip them off), they make their way from Iran to Turkey and eventually to refugee camps in Bulgaria and Serbia. Later they find themselves stuck in a Hungarian transit camp where they wait without word for many months before they're allowed to emigrate to Germany (the family currently remain there and have applied for citizenship).
In between the time they're living in these refugee camps and before arriving there, the family is in transit, trudging through forests, sleeping on the side of the road and in "safe houses," crowded with many migrants from different countries. The film not only sheds light on the migrant problem currently afflicting Europe and other parts of the world but refutes the notion that the majority of these people are dangerous.
In contrast to the anti-immigrant sentiments expressed by Trump and his supporters in this country, it becomes quite clear that Fazili and his family's motive for leaving their native land is political persecution. The other motive is of course purely economic but unfortunately this matters little to those who have demonized these unfortunate individuals. Violence toward migrants is made clear during Midnight Traveler, in some harrowing scenes where mobs of racists in Bulgaria are shown attacking migrants in the streets, while police either look the other way or participate in various beatings.
While Midnight Traveler has its decided moments of high drama (toward the end, one of Fazili's daughters goes missing for a day) most of the narrative depicts how the family copes with the daily drudgery of living in often difficult, cramped conditions. Some of the most touching moments occur when the camera follows the activities of Nargis and Zahra, Fazili and Fatima's cute and sagacious children.
Credit should also be given to Emelie Mahdavian, who edited and produced the film. Mahdavian would often visit Fazili in the refugee camps, obtain the footage and edit it back in Germany. Later Fazili would make his suggestions, adding to the final, artistic product.
One wonders where Fazili can go from here. Certainly with such an auspicious debut, we can expect many good things to come from this husband and wife team who so bravely fled their native land, and stood up to murderous oppressors.
Often with the aid of smugglers (who rip them off), they make their way from Iran to Turkey and eventually to refugee camps in Bulgaria and Serbia. Later they find themselves stuck in a Hungarian transit camp where they wait without word for many months before they're allowed to emigrate to Germany (the family currently remain there and have applied for citizenship).
In between the time they're living in these refugee camps and before arriving there, the family is in transit, trudging through forests, sleeping on the side of the road and in "safe houses," crowded with many migrants from different countries. The film not only sheds light on the migrant problem currently afflicting Europe and other parts of the world but refutes the notion that the majority of these people are dangerous.
In contrast to the anti-immigrant sentiments expressed by Trump and his supporters in this country, it becomes quite clear that Fazili and his family's motive for leaving their native land is political persecution. The other motive is of course purely economic but unfortunately this matters little to those who have demonized these unfortunate individuals. Violence toward migrants is made clear during Midnight Traveler, in some harrowing scenes where mobs of racists in Bulgaria are shown attacking migrants in the streets, while police either look the other way or participate in various beatings.
While Midnight Traveler has its decided moments of high drama (toward the end, one of Fazili's daughters goes missing for a day) most of the narrative depicts how the family copes with the daily drudgery of living in often difficult, cramped conditions. Some of the most touching moments occur when the camera follows the activities of Nargis and Zahra, Fazili and Fatima's cute and sagacious children.
Credit should also be given to Emelie Mahdavian, who edited and produced the film. Mahdavian would often visit Fazili in the refugee camps, obtain the footage and edit it back in Germany. Later Fazili would make his suggestions, adding to the final, artistic product.
One wonders where Fazili can go from here. Certainly with such an auspicious debut, we can expect many good things to come from this husband and wife team who so bravely fled their native land, and stood up to murderous oppressors.
Unseen plight
mikeww-643091 February 2021
The two sides of violence in our society.
chrischen-8962227 August 2020
Midnight traveler haunts me. It confronts me with the brutal reality of the suffering that is experienced by countless people fleeing from violence and chaos because of war. But that is only one side of the violence.
Ironically as the family fled to other nations's refugee camps, another form of rejection and violence erupted. The local people protested with violence against the refugees and it reveals the our human response of apathy and hostility towards the refugees. The director didn't have to plan this as the film simply captures the universal human problem of self-interest, tribalism and selfishness and it is reflected right back to ourselves.
Ironically as the family fled to other nations's refugee camps, another form of rejection and violence erupted. The local people protested with violence against the refugees and it reveals the our human response of apathy and hostility towards the refugees. The director didn't have to plan this as the film simply captures the universal human problem of self-interest, tribalism and selfishness and it is reflected right back to ourselves.
Not without its problems
mathewmasongrover8 November 2019
This is a good film.
Some strengths are: It gives a raw view into the difficult life of refugees by using real footage. It draws an interesting parallel between the innocence of the daughters and the knowledge of the parents. It manages to take footage shot completely on mobile phones and turn it into a coherent film. It effectively develops relatable characters who the audience can empathize with.
Some failures are: Sure, this movie is only 90 minutes long, but somehow the editor made it feel like 90 years long. I get that it is based on true events and real footage, but that's no excuse for boring editing. There's nothing wrong with making this a 65 minute film at the expense of empty scenes. The music is nauseating. Every scene ends with an obnoxious crescendo, leading to a jump cut into a new scene. Oddly enough, in a Q and A with the editor of this movie I attended, the editor herself said that the music and sound design were her favorite aspects of the movie. Yeah, the sound design is ok, but the music is trash. Nobody will be looking up the soundtrack and vibing to it. It's trash. The sound design is mediocre. Scenes that feel like they should be the same volume constantly shift volumes. The narration is forced, and it feels like propaganda which is a shame.
In all, it is worth seeing if you have nothing else to watch.
Some strengths are: It gives a raw view into the difficult life of refugees by using real footage. It draws an interesting parallel between the innocence of the daughters and the knowledge of the parents. It manages to take footage shot completely on mobile phones and turn it into a coherent film. It effectively develops relatable characters who the audience can empathize with.
Some failures are: Sure, this movie is only 90 minutes long, but somehow the editor made it feel like 90 years long. I get that it is based on true events and real footage, but that's no excuse for boring editing. There's nothing wrong with making this a 65 minute film at the expense of empty scenes. The music is nauseating. Every scene ends with an obnoxious crescendo, leading to a jump cut into a new scene. Oddly enough, in a Q and A with the editor of this movie I attended, the editor herself said that the music and sound design were her favorite aspects of the movie. Yeah, the sound design is ok, but the music is trash. Nobody will be looking up the soundtrack and vibing to it. It's trash. The sound design is mediocre. Scenes that feel like they should be the same volume constantly shift volumes. The narration is forced, and it feels like propaganda which is a shame.
In all, it is worth seeing if you have nothing else to watch.
The Taliban Are In Control
westsideschl25 February 2020
Reminded me of the movie "Afghan Cycles" "The Taliban came with forced marriages, underage marriages, & honor killings; a girl could be killed just for riding a bicycle." I see the Taliban as playing our current president (USA), who seems not to support women's rights, and democratic foundations whether w/the Kurds or Afghans.
The Taliban pursue to kill an Afghan filmmaker, his wife & two daughters. This doc follows them as they drive, walk, hide and are detained for three years as they journey for freedom & safety in Europe.
The Midnight Traveler a must watch documentary of 19
Zahirrashed29 January 2021
The Midnight Traveler is one of the touching documentaries I have seen so far. The family representing the entire refugees all over the world has done everything to show the pain and sorrows and the happiness and joy of the refugees. There is no main character in this film, and rather all those refugees are playing as the main characters and they all have the same role in storytelling in their own way which is one of the strengths of the film throughout. But still what's more bold is the father's feelings towards his family and how he struggles with a painful heart himself and still giving hope for the rest of the family members trying keep them alive in the most difficult situation.
Definitely recommend it.
Captivating journey
galayusef13 July 2020
This opens up an unseen world. The closeness with the family of immigrants escaping and the dangerous journey they take gives an unforgettable insight into their lives. The film can change the perception of what people see when they see immigrants.
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