Out of Status

A film that started as a short, angry and yet refined pamphlet against the US government, which made life difficult or impossible for foreigners living and working in America after 11 September 2001 with hastily formulated emergency laws. The first version of Out of Status, a short film by the young, inexperienced yet unstoppable documentary makers Singh and Sawhney, premièred at the 2004 festival. Now, two years later – years in which great demands were placed on the intransigence of the two women – the long-dreamed-of full-length version is here. Uncensored and unabridged. However, the real dream was a film lasting 90 minutes, so maybe this is not the very last version. The film makers follow a few people and families who have suffered severely under the arbitrary nature of the anti-terrorist measures. Immigrants from Muslim countries such as Pakistan and Egypt have had a particularly hard time. Families have often been torn apart and have got into financial difficulties because their breadwinners have been expelled from the country. The power of Out of Status is its sober and original design and the great personal commitment of the makers to their subject. The meticulous research into the legal and political implications of the new laws and resulting registration obligations is also a strong point of the film. A j’accuse in the very best tradition. Committed and sharp. (GjZ)

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