Watch Leave to Remain

Leave to Remain is a heart-wrenching drama, directed by Bruce Goodison, focusing on the lives of several young asylum seekers who fled their homes due to war, persecution, and other forms of violence. The film follows their struggles to get their UK residency status, and how they deal with the various challenges that come with being a refugee.

The main characters are Omar (Noof Ousellam), Abdul (Zarrien Masieh), and Zizidi (Yasmin Mwanza). Omar is a teenager from Afghanistan who arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker. He is quiet and introverted, struggling to fit in with his peers and acclimatize to his new surroundings. Abdul, on the other hand, is a charismatic and outgoing Sudanese boy who befriends Omar and helps him navigate the complexities of the British immigration system. Zizidi is a Congolese girl who is trying to escape a life of sexual exploitation and violence.

The three of them are housed in a shared accommodation with other asylum seekers, including a Syrian girl named Rasha (Yasmin Paige), and a Kurdish boy named Ismail (Theo Barklem-Biggs). They all share a common bond in the sense that they are trying to get their leave to remain, and our hearts break as we witness their struggles and setbacks in this process. The film provides a frank portrayal of the issues refugees face, including racism, xenophobia, and the immense psychological trauma that comes with being uprooted from one's home.

As the plot progresses, we see Omar fall in love with a British girl named Vanessa (Lucy Hale), which leads to a series of conflicts between him and Abdul. We also learn about Abdul's troubled past, which has left him with a deep-seated mistrust of authority figures. Zizidi, too, has her own story, which involves a dangerous and exploitative smuggling network. All of these conflicts come to a head as the three of them confront the reality of their situation and consider what the future holds for them.

One of the most striking aspects of Leave to Remain is its unflinching depiction of the bureaucracy and inhumanity of the British asylum system. At every turn, the characters are met with hostility, distrust, and suspicion by the authorities. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the various ways in which asylum seekers are marginalized and dehumanized, whether it's the endless waiting periods, the constant threat of deportation, or the lack of support services and resources available to them.

The film's cinematography is also worth mentioning, as it captures the small details that help bring the characters' stories to life. From the cramped living quarters to the bleak, grey streets of urban England, the film's visuals paint a vivid picture of the characters' world. The soundtrack, too, is poignant, and adds an additional layer of emotion and depth to the film.

Overall, Leave to Remain is a poignant and compelling drama that sheds light on some of the most pressing issues of our time. It is a story of resilience, hope, and the power of friendship, and serves as a powerful reminder of the humanity of those who seek refuge in our countries. The film is a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the refugee experience and the struggles faced by those who seek asylum in the UK.