Watch Central Airport THF

Central Airport THF is a documentary film that follows the daily lives of refugees residing in the Tempelhof Airport refugee center in Berlin, Germany. The film offers a raw and intimate portrayal of the struggles and hardships faced by the residents of the center, as well as touching moments of hope and resilience. The film's main characters include Ibrahim Al Hussein, a Syrian refugee who lost a leg in a bomb attack, and Qutaiba Nafer, another Syrian refugee who dreams of becoming a filmmaker. Maria Alahmad, a Palestinian refugee, also plays a prominent role as she struggles to adjust to life in the center with her family.

The Tempelhof Airport, a former Nazi airfield and later a cold war-era airport, was converted into a refugee center in 2015 at the height of the European refugee crisis. The center housed up to 3,000 refugees from various countries, including Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, many of whom had fled war and persecution.

The documentary was filmed over the course of two years, from 2016 to 2018, providing a longitudinal glimpse into the lives of the center's residents. The film captures both the daily routines of the refugees, including classes and workshops, as well as their personal stories and struggles.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its focus on the residents' sense of limbo and displacement. The refugees are housed in a massive airport complex, complete with vast hangars and long hallways, which serves as a poignant metaphor for their statelessness and uncertain future. The film also highlights the bureaucratic challenges faced by the refugees, who must navigate a complex and often arbitrary asylum process, as well as the social isolation many face in their new host country.

Despite these challenges, the film also showcases moments of hope and joy. Ibrahim Al Hussein's determination and positive attitude in the face of adversity is particularly inspiring, as is Qutaiba Nafer's passion for storytelling and cinema. The film also depicts the strong bonds of friendship and support that develop within the refugee community, as residents from different countries and cultures come together to form a makeshift family.

The documentary is filmed in a verite style, with minimal voiceover or music. This approach lends an immediacy and intimacy to the film, allowing viewers to feel as though they are right there with the refugees, sharing their experiences and emotions. The cinematography is also impressive, with shots of the airport at dusk and dawn, as well as close-ups of residents' faces conveying both their resilience and vulnerability.

Overall, Central Airport THF is a powerful and moving documentary that shines a light on the often-overlooked experiences of refugees. The film captures both the struggles and triumphs of these individuals, providing a much-needed reminder of their humanity and resilience.

Central Airport THF is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.