An Egyptian actor’s moving portrayal of the refugee experience in Limbo
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Limbo is a powerful exploration of the refugee experience. The film follows a Syrian refugee who is stuck on a remote Scottish island while his asylum application is processed. It’s a moving look at the current refugee crisis around the world, showing how hard it is for people who have to leave their homes to find safety. The film stars Egyptian actor Amir El-Masry as the main character, bringing nuance and depth to a role that could have easily been one-dimensional. He captures the character’s desire for connection, as well as his frustration and despair over his uncertain future. The film is emotionally engaging, with parts that are funny and lighthearted interspersed with parts that are sad and make you think. The music is haunting and adds to the mood of the movie, and the cinematography is stunning, capturing the rough beauty of the Scottish landscape.
Fun fact: El-Masry earned a BAFTA for his excellent performance in Limbo. He was named best actor at the 2021 Scottish edition of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA Scotland). The movie is available to stream on Netflix (watch trailer, runtime 2:34)