| Director | Ben Sharrock |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama film |
| Runtime | 104 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Box office | $921,894 |
On a fictional remote Scottish island, a group of refugees are placed in a temporary residence as they await the results of their asylum claims.
At the heart of the story is Omar, a Syrian musician who is unable to work during his asylum process. He carries his oud, a Middle Eastern string instrument, with him at all times. As the film unfolds, it becomes apparent that Omar's hand is injured and doubts arise about his ability to play the oud. He frequently uses the only available pay phone to speak with his parents in Istanbul, who share concerns about his safety as well as the well-being of his brother Nabil. Nabil's involvement as a soldier in the Syrian civil war adds an underlying tension, as it contrasts with Omar's decision to leave the country. Omar's parents encouraged his emigration to the United Kingdom, hoping that his musical talent could help preserve an essential part of Syrian culture. However, as the film progresses, his father begins to question whether they would have been better off joining the fight. Throughout much of the movie, Nabil's whereabouts remain unknown, intensifying the uncertainty and emotional strain experienced by Omar and his family.
Living in a sparsely furnished and transient house, Omar shares his living space with three other men. Farhad, a Zoroastrian Afghan asylum seeker who idolizes Freddie Mercury, has been waiting for a decision on his case for 32 months. He brings home a stolen chicken that he names Freddie Jr. The other two men are Abedi, a 17-year-old from Ghana, and Wasef, a Nigerian.
The daily lives of the men are relatively uneventful. They attend awkward cultural awareness classes led by Helga and Boris. They share their dreams with each other—Wasef aspires to play football for Chelsea F.C.—and ponder whether their remote location is a deliberate attempt to "break" them. They are aware that as single men, they are considered low priority. Their leisure time is spent watching episodes of the television show Friends, which sparks intense debates between Abedi and Wasef regarding relationship dynamics.