Reflective Encounters

“To live openly and freely can mean flirting with peril. When Syrian refugee Mohammad leaps at the chance to man a notoriously dangerous tower crane, it at first seems like he’s fulfilling a death wish. His refusal to check in with his manager as he ascends to his post adds to the tension, creating a sense of foreboding around his possible motives.

Yet when Mohammad reaches the top and lights a cigarette, the sense of calm release is palpable. High above the bustle and drudgery of everyday life, he can be himself. The sublime aerial shots reflect the character’s state of mind, especially when contrasted with the dark claustrophobic opening shots of the film depicting Mohammad’s morning routine in the dormitory with other refugees.

Up in the skies, Warsha’s established mode of social realism disintegrates into music and fantasy. There is an LGBTQ+ message to the film, as the dangers of the crane function as a metaphor for living out and proud. LGBTQ+ refugees may often flee countries where they can be persecuted for their identities and will often be more vulnerable to discrimination in the process. Mohammad’s tale is therefore a poignant reminder of the joys of freedom and the undeserved danger seeking it may bring.”

— Cathy Brennan