Going to Cinema: "It's a Free World" (2007)

This week, being a bit sick of spending evenings at home because of the freezingly cold Berlin weather, we head to a small nice cinema at Hackescher Markt to watch the movie by revolutionary Ken Loach...

"It's a Free World" portrays a young woman in her 30s, who suddenly realizes that she's got nothing in this world - no stable job, unfulfilled aspirations and no prospects . However, since she has tried numerous jobs in the area of rectuitment, she decides to launch her own business and founds a recruitment agency for migrant workers in London..

The movie tells about the situation of labour migrants from East-European countries who come to London for better-off chances. Loach displays harsh realities of the free market economy and its effect on the lifes of millions. He brings attention to social problems of labour migration, alongside the stories of those who have left their countries due to political reasons and chose to become illegal migrants. The story shows hardships, social inequality, extreme poverty and discrimination these people face every day and how they are put down by employers, having no rights and papers. 

The complexity of the topic is unfold through many personal stories told in the movie, touching upon such themes as friends, family, moral values. Though, the evolution of the main character, Angie, is put in the center. She starts with good intentions of setting up her own business and helping labour migrants to find jobs, but in the end, she cannot fight her own temptation and starts using them in her strive for money, risking both hers and her little son's life. 

The message of the movie is straight. It makes us think about those who have to leave their home countries in seek of job opportunities abroad. Often, it is not an easy decision to make. Becoming a stranger, relying on chances, being not recognized in the community you live in - this is what many people experience nowadays. The borders are open, but so many things remain closed and merely unaccessible. Well, is the free world we live in so free in the end?

"It’s a Free World" was awarded the Best Screenplay at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.

To learn more about Ken Loach and his works: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Loach

To learn more about "It's a Free World Movie": http://www.aworldtowin.net/reviews/FreeWorld.html      

Or, just google it.