The creators of “The Green Border,” a film criticized for portraying Polish border officials as violent, have sparked further outrage. During the 49th Polish Film Festival, Gabriela Łazarkiewicz-Sieczko and Maciej Pisuk, key figures behind the movie, claimed that officers at the border were given “a green light for violence” against migrants. They also took the opportunity to criticize the current government for its handling of the migrant crisis.
Disturbing Depictions in the Film
The film, directed by Agnieszka Holland, showcases disturbing scenes of Polish officers mistreating migrants, including women and children. In one example, a pregnant woman is thrown into barbed wire by border guards, while another scene shows a migrant drinking from a broken thermos, cutting his throat on the shards. These graphic depictions have been met with significant backlash, with critics accusing the filmmakers of slandering Polish border services.
The filmmakers argue that conditions for migrants at the Polish border have worsened. Activists like Maria Złonkiewicz claim that violence against migrants has increased since the border forces received tacit approval for harsher tactics. However, this narrative has been criticized, especially following the death of Polish soldier Mateusz Sitek, allegedly killed by a migrant.
Tensions Between Activists and Authorities
Despite the tragic event, the filmmakers and activists continue to portray the migrants as victims of abuse, raising concerns over the growing divide between government forces and human rights advocates in the ongoing border crisis.