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Last Resort [2001]
![Last Resort [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XR6XH88QL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £17.99
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Britain in decay
Review date: 2008-06-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
The film actually reveals more about we British than it does the plight of those seeking asylum. The decline of the British seaside town, amusement arcades, 1960s tower blocks, fish & chips, the wooden roller coaster - for me one of the stars of this film was Margate itself. Beautifully photographed and acted, this is a gem. The film oozes mood. See it.
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Reviews
An exploration of the world of asylum seekers
Review date: 2006-07-01 Rating: 8 out of 10
Although it is definitely a drama this film blurs the boundaries between documentary and fiction, apparently a characteristic of Pawlikowski's direction.
Tanya (Dina Korzun) travels to England from Russia with her 10 year old son Artyom (Strelnikov) to marry her Fiancée who doesn't turn up and leaves her stranded and forced to become a refugee.
In the first part of the film we get right inside Tanya's fears and sense of alienation as she struggles with her role as a confined refugee, this is beautifully acted by Korzun and Strelnikov and if the film had continued on this course it would have been superb.
However once Anya is befriended by Alfie (a fine performance by Considine) the drama degenerates into a standard pulp fiction love story and although well directed and acted moves away from the trauma of being an asylum seeker. Also Artyom is supposed to be 10 years old but his dialogue is far to old for his age, even a perceptive ten year old would not automatically recognise someone as a pimp when his mother apparently did not make the connection.
However this film certainly made me think about the experiences of asylum seekers and the way they can be exploited whilst within the system, their sense of despair when any resolution to their problems is six to eighteen months away, unfortunately it did not keep me thinking long and hard enough.
Beautiful
Review date: 2006-01-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
Fantastically shot.Brilliantly acted.This a beautiful film.Essentialy a romance, set in a depressing seaside village, between an amusment arcade manager and a russian, who accomponied with her 10 year old son he befriends and helps to escape home, after she has been sent to an asylum seekers holding area."It makes me wanna cry".OUTSTANDING.
Touching Film
Review date: 2002-02-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
Last Resort is a very well thought of film. It is about a mother and child from Russia who become "accidental refugees" in England. They are taken to a refugee camp where they come across a man who helps them and eventually falls in love with the mother. A very touching and moving film, almost made me cry! Sheer Brilliance.
The best media representation of asylum seekers yet
Review date: 2001-06-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Last Resort (2000) is directed by Polish-born Pawel Pavilowski and commissioned by the BBC. Filmed in Margate (fictionally called Stonehaven) charts the experiences of a Russian refugee Tanya and her son Artyom. From Heathrow they are transferred to Stonehaven, a fictional holding bay for asylum seekers. They make many failed attempts to head for London for Tanya to meet her supposed fiance and instead Tanya falls in love with a local amusement park businessman (whose name actually escapes me). In a desperate bid to financially support herself, she turns to local pornographer (again his name escapes me), who is excellently played by real life pornographer Ben Dover.
The film is more constructed as a love story than a political statement, but that's not to say the film is politics free. It is associated with the current hysteria over asylum and immigration, and the use of juddery camera work and it's bleak mise-en-scene makes it socially real experience.
the back-up cast are played by real-life asylum seekers and refugees of mainly Kosovan or Afghan dissent, again social realism comes through the documentarism. Also the presence of the asylum seekers is symbolised by Tanya being demonstrated on how to use a payphone.
The film generally is a wonderful experience and a real cinematic experience. The film is more plot led and in the end you feel sympathetic towards her plight.
If there is one film that the Tory party and Labour party would not recommend, then Last Resort is the film. Best art-house film this year.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Dina Korzun
Artyom Strelnikov
Perry Benson
Paddy Considine
Steve Perry
Director(s):
Recording label: Artificial Eye
Manufacturer: Artificial Eye
EAN: 5021866201306
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-07-30
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 75 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Russian (Original Language)