Four-Hour Migrant Film Tests Viewer Endurance

A new documentary immerses audiences in the harsh reality of migration. "Europe’s New Faces" presents over four hours of raw footage filmed over four years. It follows African and South Asian migrants on a dangerous journey from Libya across the Mediterranean Sea to a squat in Paris. The film's structure is experimental. It first shows life inside the Paris squat, where residents face eviction and complex asylum procedures. The second part then shows the perilous sea crossing. The order is intentionally reversed, avoiding a linear story. This approach sets it apart from other migrant films. Director Sam Abbas uses long, static shots and still images. Scenes linger for extended periods. The footage includes unexplained glimpses of body parts, faces, a medical procedure, text messages, and sick people on a boat deck. Many scenes are dark and difficult to see. The film aims for a punishing, immersive experience. It offers no narrative or explanation. The goal is to make viewers feel the disorientation and endurance of the journey itself.