Ongoing war and terror Essay

Most people have no choice but to flee their countries and seek asylum in other nations in quest of peace due to the ongoing war and terror in numerous countries around the globe. Even though moving from one country to another is the best choice available to them, most victims find the process to be unpleasant. This is a result of the hardships and deplorable living conditions they must endure to reach their goal. James Blemen created the Frontline documentary Exodus, a special movie that depicts the hardship and unpleasant circumstances that refugees face as they leave their countries to various countries in Europe. This is achieved by showcasing the ordeals of four different people; Isra’a, Hassan, Sadiq and Alaigie, as they journey from their countries to Europe. Refugees have had to use dubious means that pose a great risk to their lives in order to get to their destinations.

One may argue that the film is commendable in that it features the refugees who narrate their experiences as they sort asylum in other countries. Moreover, the inclusion of videos that were taken by the refugees adds value to the film. It is because viewers are able to see real graphics of what the refugees are narrating. In addition, the film exposes how human smugglers take advantage of the refugees’ desperate situation to make profit. For instance, Alaigie- a Gambian migrant- notes “you will get a smuggler who will find a car for you. Only ten people can fit in the car but the smugglers are greedy, so they fit 29 people in the car” (Bluemel 50:10). In light of this scenario, viewers are able to understand how the smugglers take advantage of the migrants in order to make profit. That is, at the expense of the migrants’ and refugees’ safety or comfort. Similar sentiments are reiterated by Hassan-a refugee from Damascus- who reports that the smugglers lie to the migrants to pay up inflated fees in order to be transported to other places. Instead they use materials that predispose the migrants to danger (8:29). This asserts how the refugees have to encounter unscrupulous smugglers and spend a lot of money in order to flee from war and terror.

The manner in which the producer seeks to indulge the viewers into relating with the problems faced by refugees and migrants is quite captivating. That is, by showcasing the ordeals that migrants encounter in the process of searching for peace. The strength of the film arguably lies in the inclusion of raw video footage that were shot by the immigrants alongside their narration of personal experiences. In addition, the background music in the film sets a good mood for watching the film, and arguably manages to captivate the emotions of the viewers. By watching the film, viewers are able to understand the difficulties that migrants and refugees face and perhaps synthesize with their situation.

The film is a significant reflection of the impacts of war and terror in various countries around the world. Many people have had to flee their countries in search of peace in other countries especially in Europe. In doing so, they encounter many problems. These problems are such as rejection by the host countries as well as moving around in pathetic conditions that predispose them to danger or even death in worst case scenario. The film invokes the idea that it is about time peace was restored in the world. Moreover, it casts various countries that have closed their border to refugees and migrant in bad light. This is because of the problems that refugees face in order to get to such countries. In addition, it elicits a feeling that policies that restricts immigration of refugees into various countries should be reviewed. It is because being hospitable is the least the countries can do to help in the situation.

Work Cited

Bluemel, James. "Watch Full Episodes Online of FRONTLINE on PBS | Exodus." PBS, 27 Dec. 2016, www.pbs.org/video/2365920685/. Accessed 6 Apr. 2017.