As of 2022, Germany hosts almost 1 million Syrian refugees. A Step Without Feet illustrates the daily life of these displaced people through interviews and videography. Around 8 different refugees speak about their situation and story. While this does not speak for the entire refugee population, it does give us a glimpse into average daily life.
What I loved most about this documentary was how it differed from other films about refugee journeys. Instead of focusing on the horrible situations that the refugees had to experience and the hard journey they made to get into Germany, the film centered on daily life and the way immigrants settled into daily life. This new perspective felt more vulnerable and a great deal more personal. In turn, when the documentary unveiled the sadness many refugees had kept in, such as the grief of losing a friend or family member, I felt more connected as it invoked an actual sadness in me that I had not been expecting.
In addition to how intertwined the film made me feel with the people, I also noted the stark contrast between the two living environments that these people had been through. On one hand is their first home in Syria which they described as full of sun and warmth. On the other hand, is Germany, cold and gloomy. What seems like such a small detail to us can be a massive difference for someone else.
Overall, I thought that this documentary not only met, but also exceeded my expectations. The storytelling and videography were excellent. However, I do wish that I would have had the opportunity to speak to the refugees themselves instead of just the director, Jeremy Glaholt.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAta4QeR5_4 (to be clear I went to the GIP event, this is just a link to the documentary I found on youtube so I can cite it)
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