A new film attempts to explore the profound loneliness of seeking refuge, but ultimately struggles to move beyond its own sentimental surface.
The drama, set in London, follows Bosco, a man who has fled Hong Kong. He is portrayed with a quiet sensitivity, though the specific political circumstances that forced his departure remain largely in the background. While awaiting a decision on his status, he is housed with other asylum seekers on a repurposed military base. The film is at its most effective in these quieter moments, capturing the subtle alienation of navigating a new world—like wandering the aisles of a local shop filled with unfamiliar products.
A tentative connection forms when Bosco meets Yasmin, another asylum seeker writing letters to her imprisoned partner back home. Their companionship offers a glimmer of solace, though it’s clear Bosco’s feelings may run deeper.
Despite these promising elements, the narrative falters by introducing weighty themes only to leave them underdeveloped. Bosco takes a casual job at a car wash, a scenario presented without exploring the potential for exploitation common in such informal work. The plot then touches on the threat of deportation to a third country and, in a separate thread, the radicalization of a local man by anti-immigrant groups. These threads feel more like a checklist of issues than a coherent story, resulting in a muddled and somewhat contrived whole.
The production is clearly driven by empathy and good intentions, offering glimpses into the isolating reality of the asylum process. However, an over-reliance on sentimental beats prevents it from achieving the convincing social realism or dramatic depth the subject deserves. The result is a debut that raises important questions about displacement and loneliness but lacks the narrative focus to provide satisfying answers.