No. 5 (2022) LIMBO Jan. 18th.

 

Film No. 5 (2022)  January 18th.  8:00 PM SOMERVILLE Outdoor U.W.A.                        

"If you are calling about an asylum claim then please hang up" (The automated voice recording as heard by Omar each time he tries to contact the Ministry of Immigration).

I knew I was in the hands of a competent, clever film-maker from the outset; a brilliantly paced opening scene depicting an odd middle aged couple performing an impromptu dance to the sounds of Hot Chocolate's, It Started With A Kiss. A formal lesson in appropriate behaviour when it comes to young men with thoughts of "hitting on" the opposite sex. Cut to shot No. 2, a mid shot of stony faced men of a mixture of races, all looking shocked rather than intrigued. These men are in limbo, participating in one of many mandated classes, lessons in life, presented by Helga (Sidse Babett-Knudson) and Boris (Kenneth Collard). The men wait, in limbo, on a fictional Scottish Island for an  official letter signalling an approval for their long term stay visa. 

PICADERO introduced Ben Sharrock to the world as a film maker of note. His focus seems to be on everyday people trying to better themselves. Not in a flamboyant way, but simply in a way to improve their station in life. Sharrock gives us characters full of hope. LIMBO introduces us to Syrian national Omar (Amir El-Masry) who we have nothing but compassion for from the time we are introduced to his dead-pan, if not forlorn look, in close-up, 5 minutes in.

Omar, Pakistani Farhad (Vikash Bhai) and Nigerian brothers Wasef (Ola Ovebiyi) and Abedi (Kwabena Ansah) pass time aimlessly in the cold windswept tundra, waiting. Sharrock takes care setting his camera in a way to accentuate the boring existence these man endure. A single telephone box (shades of LOCAL HERO) set in a heather blanketed wild-lands is the scene of many shots, as Omar makes contact with his caring mother and father. We are left to imagine the connection he feels during each 5 minute (timed) call. The camera has us panning the cold, desolate countryside, as he makes sense of these surroundings while talking to home. We live his homesickness. 

Bill Forsyth brought Scotland to the world with all its quirkiness in LOCAL HERO and COMFORT AND JOY. Both were populated by characters that drove his plots. Sharrock and his Spanish wife and  producer Irune Gurtubai have reinforced so much of Forsyth's sociological visuals. Sharrock, wants us to laugh but he wants us to care more. 

For me LIMBO was a delight. It had something to say. We are asked to feel genuine compassion for all its players. It succeeds, but be warned; LIMBO moves at a pace some will find laborious. A bit like the rate at which time passes as our heroes wait, in limbo, in hope. 11GUMS.