A chilling two-year-old's tragic death has reignited concerns over Europe's immigration policies. "Hold on to Her" is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the darker side of state coercion and control in shaping migration policy.
The film centers around Mawda Shawri, a German-born Iraqi Kurd who was shot dead during a botched border control operation in 2018. The incident highlights the horrific consequences of aggressive policing tactics and the subsequent cover-up by authorities. Through a combination of documents, testimony, and staged readings, the director Robin Vanbiesen sheds light on the systemic issues that led to Mawda's tragic fate.
The film's central message is clear: outrage over such incidents is understandable, but it also serves as a smokescreen for the broader machinery of repression. By focusing on isolated cases like Mawda's, authorities can justify draconian control measures and obscure the underlying power dynamics that drive these policies. The documentary suggests that dismantling violence requires a fundamental shift in language, one that humanizes migrants and refugees rather than perpetuating dehumanizing labels.
However, some critics argue that the film falls short in its execution. The director's attempts to visually convey the sense of disorientation and alienation felt by Mawda and her family come across as half-hearted and scattered. The numerous inserts of roadside vegetation and lamp posts start to feel like a distraction from the central narrative. Furthermore, the film's conclusion feels disjointed, lacking a clear call to action or a resolution that does justice to Mawda's tragic story.
Despite these criticisms, "Hold on to Her" remains a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that challenges viewers to confront the darker aspects of Europe's migration policies. By humanizing the victims and exposing the systemic injustices, the film offers a stark reminder of the need for reform and a more compassionate approach to those seeking refuge in Europe.
The film centers around Mawda Shawri, a German-born Iraqi Kurd who was shot dead during a botched border control operation in 2018. The incident highlights the horrific consequences of aggressive policing tactics and the subsequent cover-up by authorities. Through a combination of documents, testimony, and staged readings, the director Robin Vanbiesen sheds light on the systemic issues that led to Mawda's tragic fate.
The film's central message is clear: outrage over such incidents is understandable, but it also serves as a smokescreen for the broader machinery of repression. By focusing on isolated cases like Mawda's, authorities can justify draconian control measures and obscure the underlying power dynamics that drive these policies. The documentary suggests that dismantling violence requires a fundamental shift in language, one that humanizes migrants and refugees rather than perpetuating dehumanizing labels.
However, some critics argue that the film falls short in its execution. The director's attempts to visually convey the sense of disorientation and alienation felt by Mawda and her family come across as half-hearted and scattered. The numerous inserts of roadside vegetation and lamp posts start to feel like a distraction from the central narrative. Furthermore, the film's conclusion feels disjointed, lacking a clear call to action or a resolution that does justice to Mawda's tragic story.
Despite these criticisms, "Hold on to Her" remains a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that challenges viewers to confront the darker aspects of Europe's migration policies. By humanizing the victims and exposing the systemic injustices, the film offers a stark reminder of the need for reform and a more compassionate approach to those seeking refuge in Europe.
... it shows us how easily we can turn a blind eye to the human cost of politics 
... think about it, if we really cared about Mawda's story, we wouldn't be just outraged at isolated cases but would be demanding change on a systemic level 
... we need to shift our language, yeah? Start using "person" instead of "migrant" or "refugee"... it's all about empathy and understanding 
... the docu might not be perfect, but that's what makes it so powerful – it makes us uncomfortable 
...
but at same time, i get why it needs 2 b made, cuz we gotta talk about these issues 
europe's immigration policy is crazy, and sometimes u just can't help but wonder if they're more concerned w/ control than w/ human lives 
I mean i'm still reeling from the story of Mawda Shawri's tragic death 
... it's like, can't believe they did that 2 yrs ago & yet ppl are STILL debating immigration policies?!? 
Like what even is wrong with us?!? The doc highlights how systemic issues & repression lead to these horrific incidents & it's just... u feel? 
But omg those critic's comments about the film being disjointed & lacking a clear call to action 
I get it tho, i felt that way too... like the ending was kinda rushed & didn't give me the closure i needed 
we gotta keep having these conversations about reforming our policies & being more compassionate towards ppl seeking refuge 
... did they really need to include that? And the conclusion just left me feeling kinda unsatisfied, you know?
Like, we already know aggressive policing tactics are messed up, what's new about that?
. I'm not saying they don't try to make you feel something, but it feels like they're just trying too hard. And the ending? Eh, I'd love some closure, but this film is more of a "Hey, we should care about this, I guess" vibe rather than a concrete call to action 
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. We do need to talk about these systemic issues and how they affect people's lives. It just feels like the film is more of a whisper in the wind rather than a full-on roar for change 
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... feels like europe's immigration policies are so misguided, tryna control people rather than help 'em 
... need more awareness about the struggles faced by migrants & refugees 
... it's just not right. And I think what really gets me is that it's all about control, you know? They're more worried about maintaining power than actually helping people 
. It's like, we need to have a conversation about this, but it's hard when the ones in power are the ones doing the controlling 
Another heartbreaking doc comes out 
But honestly, I'm still waiting for concrete change... it feels like we're stuck in this never-ending cycle of deportation and heartbreak 
Still a powerful watch though, might just be enough to make you wanna shout about it loud & proud 
, we need to rethink our whole 'hostile environment' policy 
. I'm not saying the documentary is perfect or anything 
We need to start using language that's not so dehumanizing, you know?
? Anywayz, still gotta give props for humanizing migrants and stuff. We need more of that positivity vibes 
And Robin Vanbiesen does a great job of highlighting the systemic issues that led to her death. I mean, it's not just about the individual case, it's about the broader system that's in place 
It's like, we need to humanize these migrants and refugees, you know? We need to stop treating them like numbers or labels and start seeing them as actual people 