Young Afghan Wasiullah disappears from a Danish children's asylum centre into an underground existence in Europe with devastating consequences.

Interview with Writer/Director Michael Graversen

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

After making the short "No Man's Land" - a portrait of a children's asylum centre in Denmark I was very interested to see what happened to the young refugees who received a rejection on their asylum claim and disappeared from the European asylum centres once they turned 18. What happened to them? An evening in October Wasiullah called me and said he had left the centre and was living illegally in Copenhagen. That was the starting point of a very long process filming him in his underground existence in Europe.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because this is a unique story of what happens to the many unaccompanied minors who dissappear in Europe. It is a human face to the often de-humanizing politics discussed currently in Europe. Because film is a machine of empathy and I hope you will be moved by Wasiullah's story. In the end the events take an unexpected turn.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

This is a film about trying to find a home and an identity. About what happens when your home and identity are taken away from you. About growing up with a heavy burden on your shoulders.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

When I followed Wasi through his illegal bus ride through Europe ending up in Italy trying to get asylum I knew that the answer to his new claim would be the end of the film. What I did not know was the huge difficulty I faced filming a traumatized boy and that he would end up in such a state as he did. I tried to film observational style (Frederik Wiseman) but in the end the real life events meant I had to involve myself in the film. Literally.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film premiered at CPH:DOX and was nominated for the F:ACT Award. The tv-premiere was on primetime national tv in Denmark and hundreds of thousands saw it. I received lots of feedback from people who really were touched by the story - including former refugees who could see themselves in the film. Later the film toured festivals and I have been advocating the rights of the unaccompanied minors in Danish and international media. The film won the Amnesty International Award at Giffoni International Film Festival and was nominated as documentary of the year at the Annual TV Awards in Denmark.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

After the tv broadcast I chatted on the webiste of a big newspaper in Denmark and I got really harsh remarks. Some people told me that I had the blood of the terror victims on my hands because I had made a film about a refugee. The debate about refugee is so toxic - especially on social media.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

More exposure, more attention towards the film and its subject. And hopefully more background knowledge for the audience.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Journalists, festivals, broadcasters. NGO's!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

It has already received much more impact and reception than I could have hoped for. But every screening and every person who sees the film onwards counts.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Who are you if you do not have a home or an identity?

Would you like to add anything else?

After the broadcast in Denmark a crowdfunding campaign was held and we managed to raise over 10.000 euros for Wasiullah. He has used that money to open a pizzeria with a friend in Italy.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am developing a film essay about my childhood with cancer. And a "Boyhood" story about young refugees growing up in Denmark. As well as stories about strong modern refugee women.

Interview: January 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Dreaming of Denmark

Young Afghan Wasiullah disappears from a Danish children's asylum centre into an underground existence in Europe with devastating consequences.

Length: 62 mins.

Director: Michael Graversen

Producer:Lise Saxtrup

Writer: Michael Graversen

About the writer, director and producer: Michael Graversen graduated as a director at National Film and TV School in the UK. His films has been selected for IDFA, CPH:DOX etc. and won several awards internationally.

Key cast: Wasiullah, Mussa, Abdissa, Shafi

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Journalists and film festivals/broadcasters

Funders: Danish Film Institute and DR1

Made in association with: Klassefilm and Meta Film - Danish Film Institute and DR1

Where can I see it in the next month?

Human Rights Watch Weekend in Amsterdam. BUFF - International Film festival, Malmø. Filmcentralen in Denmark.