Dreamers (2025) Movie Script
1
[woman] Somewhere on the
other side of this wide night
and the distance between us,
I am thinking of you.
The room is slowly turning away
from the moon.
This is pleasurable.
[exhales]
Or shall I cross that out
and say... it is sad?
In one of the tenses,
I am singing...
an impossible song of desire
that you cannot hear.
[distant echoing shouts]
-[door slams]
-[women chatter in the distance]
[warden]
Any valuables in here, please.
[bag rustles]
Thank you.
Take these and follow me.
[woman] I need something.
Are you deaf? Are you deaf?
[warden] You'll stay here
while the Home Office
decides your case.
If denied, you'll have
three chances to appeal.
When denied for the third time,
you'll be sent back
to your home country.
If you choose not to appeal,
you'll be sent back.
Any questions?
Credit for your phone,
minimum 5.
By law, you earn 79p a day
in here.
It's a bit useless,
if you ask me.
You'll have internet access,
but not to social media.
Your room and roommate. Farah.
Isio. Out, you two, come on.
Let her settle in.
If you've got a problem
with anyone or anything,
you let me know, all right?
We're here to help.
[clears throat]
[loud chatter continues
in the distance]
She's not here to help.
Don't let her niceness fool you.
Helping is how
they gather information.
The first couple of nights
are the hardest,
then you get used to it.
And if you don't...
nowhere else for you to go.
Mm-mm. I'm getting out of here.
Of course you will.
They either send you back,
or let you stay in the country.
I'm just trying to help you
understand how it works.
[door closes]
[sniffles]
[muffled shouting]
[woman] Turn off the light!
[sighs]
[shouting continues]
[loud chatter]
Hey, my dear, are you a man
or a woman? Pick one!
-[laughter]
-[woman] It's a he-she!
[woman 2] They just let anybody
inside here.
[loud chatter continues]
[women chatter in the distance]
[door opens]
[police siren in the distance]
[door opens]
Is this what it's going
to be like with you?
You're just going to lay there
and wait for what?
Life to happen to you?
You don't know me
or my situation.
[laughs]
Let me tell you something.
Your situation, my situation,
it doesn't matter.
What matters is us getting out.
-[woman shouting]
-[banging]
-What is that?
-Someone is being deported.
[shouting]
[woman screams] Please!
[woman wails]
[gasps]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman laughs]
[hisses] Move!
You are in our space.
Oh, sorry. I didn't know.
Wait.
You get money?
You don't understand English?
[chuckles]
I do.
Later, you'll buy me
some things.
-I don't think it's that much...
-Hmm?
But I'll buy it for you.
-OK.
-Oya, go.
-[gasps]
-[laughter]
Senseless, you got no sense?
[warden] All right, girls.
Come on.
[chatter continues]
[laughter]
[door closes]
Their thing is to bully
the newbies.
The three unwise women,
Afia's gang.
Don't let those women
get to you.
In here, you have to be tough.
I don't want any problems.
And I have my caseworker
interview coming up soon, so...
Then you should apply
for asylum.
Tell the Home Office
your real story.
I thought you said
I shouldn't trust them.
No.
I said the guards
are not helpful.
But I'm glad to know
you're listening to me.
[man] I'm David,
and I'm the caseworker
that will be deciding
on your status.
You've been exposed
as working illegally in the UK
and you've applied for asylum.
This interview will determine
if we grant you asylum.
As of today, I haven't received
a copy of your file
or your passport.
If you're denied asylum
at this stage,
you can appeal
in front of a judge.
I request that you answer
all questions verbally.
Why are you claiming asylum?
Um...
I'm a lesbian
and my mother found out.
Why can't you be gay in Nigeria?
It's illegal.
[pen scribbling]
[David]
Have you ever kissed a man
or had sexual intercourse
with one?
Yes.
How can I be sure
that you're gay?
Uh...
[Isio] No... No, no... [groans]
-[Farah] Isio.
-[gasps]
Are you OK?
-I'm fine.
-Are you sure?
Yes.
[indistinct chatter]
[distant banging]
[groans softly]
-How are you feeling?
-I'm fine.
Thanks for asking.
You missed breakfast.
I snuck something out for you.
Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
[guard slaps woman's buttocks]
You all right?
-[clicks fingers]
-You see something?
No.
Kwasia (Fool).
-What's wrong?
-This place.
If I go left, it's wrong.
If I go right, it's wrong.
You just need to learn
how it works.
And how do I do that?
Nana doesn't like me.
Afia and her friends bully me,
and you, you...
Maybe come with me to art class
tomorrow. It might help you.
Help me do what?
Express your emotions.
And let go to let in.
-Mm-hmm.
-Just try it.
It's not like you have
somewhere else to be.
[teacher]
Beautiful as ever, Farah.
Thank you, Lisa.
Your brushstroke has...
it's really improved.
I remember what you said
last week
about how I should
hold the brush.
Very good.
-Oh, this is nice.
-Thank you.
Is this somewhere
in your home country?
Wetin? It's London Bridge.
Oh, ah. Ah, yes.
It's very nice.
All that woman sees us as
is poor, hopeless immigrants.
She just wants to help.
Abeg. I'm nobody's
pathway to heaven.
I have a degree
in political science.
-What did you study?
-Philosophy.
-[laughs]
-Ah. What's so funny?
Please! Philosophy.
What is that? Which job
can you get with that one?
Ah, so you are one
of those Nigerians
who doesn't see any value
in understanding human nature.
Can you change person?
So why are you learning
about them?
And the political science
that you studied?
At least with that one,
I can organise government.
[clicks tongue]
This your Karl Marx and Spencer.
The poor man would be
rolling in his grave.
Then let him roll.
-Over and over and over again!
-[laughs]
[they laugh]
Isio. Nana, Atefeh.
-Nice to properly meet you.
-[Nana kisses her teeth]
[chuckles]
Nana doesn't like people.
I can talk for myself.
You have to learn to be friends.
Ate.
I told Isio you could try and
get her a job in the cafeteria.
Give her something to do.
Sure.
-I will try.
-Thank you.
[laughs]
You all right, girls?
Ah, no, no. Put it there.
[chatter on warden's radio]
Why doesn't Nana like me?
Nana?
It's not that
she doesn't like you.
She doesn't know you.
That's it.
In here, people,
they come, they go, it's...
it's not easy to know anyone.
Where are you from?
Nigeria.
-Hmm.
-You?
Iraq.
You have family back home?
Me, I have a son.
He's six years old.
His name is Mustafa.
Look.
I have a picture.
Habibi.
[Isio] Oh...
[chuckles] He's beautiful.
-Hmm.
-Where is he?
Germany.
The authorities, they took him.
And alhamdulillah,
I have family there.
They make sure he's OK.
When I leave here,
I will get him.
You sound so confident
about leaving.
I have to.
I have no choice.
Morning, ladies.
Is that how you fold?
What's wrong
with how I'm folding?
Ah.
You'd make a terrible housewife.
[laughs]
Who told you I wanted
to be a housewife?
Me, I want to be a CEO.
CEO of what?
People who can't fold?
Then you fold for me.
Anything else, madam?
And I'd make
an excellent housewife.
[Farah] Hmm.
My food
is very, very tantalising.
I guess I have to find out.
[they laugh]
[Isio] How does it happen
that our lives can drift
far from ourselves...
while we stay trapped in time
queuing for death?
It doesn't matter why
we're here, just how we leave.
[Isio] It seems nothing will
shift the patter for our days,
alter the rhyme we make with
loss to assonance with bliss.
-[women argue]
-[guard] All right!
Calm down, ladies. Calm down.
This is for you.
-Read it.
-Why?
It's your decision letter.
-Are you crazy?
-Get off!
-This is your life.
-Yes. My life!
[Farah] Isio, we can fight this.
The first thing we need to do...
-It's not your problem!
-[gasps]
[women chatter]
[chatter continues]
[Afia hisses]
Follow me to the shop.
I need something.
Are you deaf?
[warden] Stop! Stop! Stop it!
I don't get paid enough
for this!
[door locks]
[Farah] How are you feeling?
[Isio] I feel like I...
like I'm losing myself
in this place.
I know they're going
to send me back.
-[gasps]
-I know.
I know. I know
they're gonna send me back...
-Look at me.
-I can't. I can't.
-Look at me.
-Farah, I can't.
-I can't go back.
-Just try to breathe.
Breathe. In.
-And out.
-[exhales]
That's good.
In.
And out.
Just breathe.
Keep your eyes on me
and just breathe.
-[moans]
-That's good.
-[moans]
-That's good.
[moans]
[moans softly]
You just need to understand
this place a bit better.
Can I show you something?
What do you see?
[Isio] Guards... Women...
Look closer at Afia's gang.
[woman] Yes.
[Farah]
We do what we can to survive.
And we look out for each other.
I'll help you appeal.
There are some rules
you need to follow.
First, you need
to keep your head down
and mind your business,
and let the guards think
that we have no power.
All the guards wear
the same uniform
that subconsciously
makes us believe
that they are stronger than us.
But they can't watch everyone.
Look around you.
There are more of us than them.
[Farah]
When did you enter the country?
-Isio.
-Hmm?
When did you enter the country?
How many times
have you done this?
[Farah] Enough.
I'm on my last appeal.
I'm running out of time.
What will you do if they say no?
Run away.
You know...
Don't expect to win.
Keep fighting.
[Farah] Isio...
-Isio...
-[gasps]
What were you dreaming about?
I'm here, if you need me.
No.
I keep having the same dream.
Again and again and again.
When I first came here...
I kept dreaming about my father.
Sometimes,
I would see him in my old house.
What happened to him?
He was looking into Boko Haram.
And one day,
he did not come home.
They had taken him.
Then they came for my family.
But I wasn't at home.
I knew...
they would come for me
if I didn't get out.
How could they ever think
of sending you back?
They say just move to
a different part of the country
where they can't find you.
[laughs]
I have taken my destiny
into my own hands.
Whatever you are scared of...
it doesn't have to own you.
-You make it sound so simple.
-Sometimes it is that simple.
Freedom begins in the mind.
I'm sorry, I...
I thought...
[clears throat]
[groans softly]
So... you and Farah?
-Hmm?
-Hmm?
I see how
you look at each other.
I think it's beautiful.
-It's not that simple.
-Hmm. Why not?
I need to get out of here,
not fall in love.
-Why can't you have both?
-[scoffs]
Look at the way you're smiling.
Listen.
Of course we have to think
about the future, and have hope.
But we could be deported
at any moment.
Look at us.
We've already lost
so much in life.
How much more
do you want to lose
before you realise
you deserve to be happy?
[sprays table]
[indistinct chatter]
Farah, I wanted to, um...
I wasn't expecting this.
Me neither.
Will... Will you...
Uh, you know, um... [laughs]
Can we take it slow?
-[indistinct chatter]
-[board game pieces moving]
[Farah groans]
-[dice rattle on table]
-What?
If there was another way
out of here, would you take it?
If it meant going back
to the life I was living,
then no.
I've lost too much
of myself already.
There's only one way
to get out of here.
-MMA fighter, Isio.
-[laughs]
Wallahi, Nana, the only way
you know how to fight
is with your mouth.
[Nana]
Abeg, let's go to art class.
Do you guys really find
that art class helpful?
I find it can be helpful.
-You should come.
-I'm OK.
-How was your art teacher?
-She was nice.
-She asked about you.
-Asked about me, eh?
Are you sure
not about your brush strokes?
[laughs] You need to stop
with this your jealousy.
Who is jealous
of the two of you?
[laughs]
[laughs]
What is it?
My appeal date.
You'll be fine.
Just tell the judge the truth.
[Isio] I got my first job
right after I graduated.
It was in a bank.
Nothing special.
But my mother was so proud.
It was there that I met Abiye.
We flirted.
At first,
it was just playful joking.
We used to call each other
"wife".
One day...
she kissed me.
This was... It was then
that I knew that I liked women.
I had kissed men before,
but nothing felt like this.
With men, it felt...
obligatory.
One weekend, my mother was away,
so I called Abiye to come over.
This was my first time
sleeping with a woman.
It felt... natural.
Nothing wrong with this.
My...
My neighbour...
called my mother...
who came home...
with two men from the church.
They dragged Abiye
out of the room and...
locked me inside.
I...
I was locked in that room for...
for three days
while four different men...
raped me.
My mother said
I just needed a man,
that it would fix me.
I managed to escape and I ran.
I just ran.
I took all the money I saved up
and I bought my way here.
I can't go back.
I can't. I can't.
How did it go?
I don't know.
We planned something
that will cheer you up.
Who's "we"?
[Atefeh and Nana chatter]
[Atefeh] I think in my country,
we do it better.
[Nana] What do you mean,
in your country?
-[Atefeh laughs]
-Are you guys...
Actually, this was Nana's idea.
The first appeal
is always the hardest.
Besides, I wanted some
Ghanaian jollof and chicken.
-Thank you, Nana.
-Mm.
I just want you to know,
Nigerian jollof is the best.
Chale! You Nigerians
shouldn't come and start.
Atefeh, today you're a Ghanaian,
so you better support me.
-I always support you.
-Hm!
[they laugh]
[laughter and chatter]
[gentle piano music
plays over dialogue]
[laughter]
-Nana's j-rice, it was OK.
-[Farah laughs]
Thank you.
[Farah] It wasn't just me.
I know.
Are you sure?
[Isio moans softly]
[Isio] Are we being naive?
What if this is all we can be?
If they send us back.
What if that didn't happen?
If we had a chance of life
on the outside?
[warden] Morning, girls.
I need to tell you something.
What's going on?
You didn't tell her?
I thought
we could do it together.
-Tell me what?
-We're escaping.
[laughs]
Yalla, Nana.
I...
I want you to come with us.
Say something.
This way we can be together.
You were just saying
about us getting out.
I meant legally!
I know people
who can help us on the outside.
Passports. We can get real jobs.
Isio.
What about us?
I could get my appeal.
[clicks teeth] Hm.
[door closes]
[indistinct chatter]
[singing and clapping]
[woman] Come on, join in!
Chale.
You really love this library,
sha.
You know,
I've never been here before.
This thing with Farah, you need
to figure it out. Listen.
You're a nice person.
Unfortunately, naive at times.
But I can forgive that.
But the issue with nice people
is that you never do
what's right for you.
Stop avoiding your feelings
and listen to your heart.
-I thought you didn't like me.
-I don't.
I'm just tired of seeing
Farah sad.
[door closes]
[clears throat]
Can we talk?
I...
I don't want us to end.
Me or you could be taken
at any moment.
I still have to go through
my appeal process.
I have to try and do things
the right way.
But... I want you.
Even though
it doesn't make sense.
I want you.
[indistinct chatter]
Chale. You're loving her again?
[laughs]
[Atefeh] Just listen to us.
I read a book about
a man in Australia
who escaped by pretending
to be a translator.
And the guards, they helped him.
As soon as we have James' card,
we can get out.
And you just want to walk out
of the front door?
Why are you here
if you're not coming with us?
There are still some things
to sort out
which I think Isio
can help us with.
We need to know who else
is working that night.
We're already working on Lisa,
see if she can help us.
That is why you're always
going to that useless art class.
Why would she would help?
She's always talking about
burning the system down.
How it doesn't work.
It's her chance to prove that.
And Farah is her favourite,
so she will convince her
to hide us in her car.
And then, we get out of here.
[Isio]
Let's say you're successful
and you do get out of here,
what's the first thing
you'll do?
Hmm.
When we are both out...
[chuckles]
I will take you
on a proper date.
Hmm!
But what if it is I
that wants to take you out?
Hmm.
Where?
Well...
first, it would
have to be daytime,
so that I can see
your beautiful face.
[they laugh]
Oh! I know this nice Vietnamese
restaurant in Deptford.
They also do karaoke.
-I like karaoke.
-[chuckles] Same.
[chuckles]
Then... I will make you
something very special.
At home.
[laughter]
What will our home be like?
[Isio] No white walls.
I hate white walls.
We will make it ours.
And we wouldn't
have to hide our love.
Farah.
Today is my birthday.
-What?
-[chuckles]
We could have done something.
No, I don't wanna make
a fuss about it.
-Happy birthday.
-Thank you.
-Happy birthday to you!
-[laughter]
You have a letter.
-[door closes]
-It's OK.
Open it.
I can't do this anymore.
Don't give up.
It's what they want.
You'll have another chance
to appeal.
You did what you
thought was right.
Nana.
-You're being sentimental?
-Shut up.
I'm surprised you haven't said,
"I told you so."
Why would we?
We've all been
where you are now.
You'll get through it.
Isio. Wait.
I don't know if I'll have
the strength to appeal again.
-So come with us.
-Where?
-We can try again.
-Where will I...
Farah. They've denied
your final appeal.
You're being deported
immediately, I'm afraid.
-What? Denied?
-Please. Please.
I don't wanna
have to forcibly remove you,
so please cooperate with me,
yeah?
-No, James...
-Isio, step out of my way.
Don't touch me.
Step out, Isio, please.
[overlapping voices]
-[screams]
-Stop struggling!
-Stop.
-[yells]
Hey, hey, hey!
Stay down! [screams]
[Farah] Isio!
[yelling]
Right, stop it now.
[muffled voices]
[sobs]
[door opens]
[birds sing]
Next time, get your own food.
Do something
instead of lying around
feeling sorry for yourself.
[warden] You all right, love?
Just checking in on you.
Anything we can do for you?
I'm OK.
Isio, habibti, you need to move.
I heard the guards talking about
putting you on suicide watch.
Is this another letter?
I'm sure Farah is trying
to find a way back to you.
In the meantime...
you still have a choice.
Use it.
How else
will you find each other?
[door closes]
[women chatter]
Hey.
I see you've emerged
from your cave. Smile.
Fine, girl.
How do you feel?
Better.
You know, we thought we were
going to have to drag you out.
Uh, excuse me, no, no.
Not "we", you.
Me, I understand
that grieving takes time.
Which kind grieving?
-Chale, did Farah die?
-[scoffs]
Is it just not to get out
of here and find her?
Uh.
[Atefeh] Anyway...
-We missed you.
-Mm-mm. She missed you.
-Oh-ho, Nana missed you.
-[Nana] Don't touch me!
[woman laughs]
[Farah laughs]
[Farah] When we are both out,
I'll take you on a proper date.
If there was another way
out of here, would you take it?
Whatever you are scared of,
it does not have to own you.
Freedom begins in the mind.
This is your room
and roommate, Isio.
Nisma. Keep to yourself.
Don't cause no trouble.
And if you've got a problem
with anyone or anything,
let me know.
We're here to help.
She's not here to help,
by the way.
Helping is how
they gather information.
The first two days
are the hardest.
It's OK.
You'll get used to it.
I didn't think
I would end up here.
Who does?
Hm.
Can I ask you something?
Just ask.
Why are you sleeping with James?
I thought he could help.
He said he could ensure
my stay in the country.
By the time I realised
he couldn't...
he pressured me.
If I didn't give him
what he wanted,
he would make sure I got
sent home for seducing a guard.
I don't know if it's true,
but...
I don't want to find out.
I know you want to play
by the rules
and wait for your final appeal.
But what will you do
if you don't succeed?
-Oh! Sorry.
-That's all right, love.
[Atefeh and Nana chatter]
I can get us out.
Come.
-What do you mean?
-[women chatter outside]
Listen. I sat in that room
and watched as a new girl
came in and took Farah's place.
And all I could think of
was how naive I was
when they first brought me here.
-You're not the only one.
-[Isio] No.
But I should have listened
to the both of you before.
I need to know that Farah is OK.
OK.
What do you have in mind?
So...
it might sound a little crazy,
but let me land.
We need the electrician
to be called out...
[whispers] Go to the door. Go.
So that we can get
his wire-cutters.
[electrician] Cheers.
-When he gets here...
-This place is falling apart.
-I will distract him.
-If it's not the light,
it's something else. Honestly.
-Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry!
-Are you OK?
It will give you a chance
to hide them.
-[Isio] Oh, thank you.
-That's all right.
Atefeh, help her.
We need to move the camera
to create a blind spot
in the garden.
We will use Afia's gang and
their dealings as our cloak.
At some point,
they will create a diversion
to distract the guards.
As soon as the diversion begins,
we start cutting the fence.
I'm not sure about this plan.
Cutting wires, cameras...
And you thought the other plan
was any better?
[laughs] You really thought Lisa
was just going to walk
all of us out of here?
This fence, it's not easy
to cut. The wires are thick.
[Isio] I know.
It will take us some time,
but...
what do we have to lose? Hm?
-I'm willing to try it.
-Yes, Nana.
No.
Think about Mustafa.
[sighs]
OK.
I will try.
[indistinct chatter]
[Isio] Making sure
we move the cameras...
and the guards don't see us...
we cut what we can each day.
[grunts]
[warden] Break it up, girls.
[women chatter]
Isio, stop.
[Nana] Even if you escape
and look for Farah,
when you get deported,
it's hard in your home country.
Some people end up in prison.
Some destitute.
Some die.
I know.
But Farah is different.
I feel it's taking too long.
Maybe they will catch us.
Don't worry, guys.
-We just have to finish...
-[door opens]
Come, let's go.
-Why doesn't Nana like me?
-Nana doesn't like anybody.
Isio's jollof is better.
-I thought you were my friend.
-Mm-mm.
To Farah. I will find you.
Farah.
Mmm.
[Lisa] That's great.
I'm learning to let go
to let in.
[sobs]
What do I do now?
You fight.
I don't know if I can.
I can't. I can't.
You can.
Whatever happens, you
cannot lose yourself in here.
Have you guys packed?
It needs to be light.
Why are you directing that
at me? I like to look good.
We don't have time to look good.
We need to be quick.
Don't worry, I've packed,
light... ish.
-Who will make the diversion?
-Leave that to me.
Are you sure?
I just need to make a few people
think their things were stolen.
[women chatter]
[woman] Grace? Grace?
How dare you steal from me?
[Grace] What are you talking
about? Get out of my face!
[women yelling]
[chatter over warden's radio]
Yalla, let's go.
Isio, come on. Hurry!
-Come on, pull!
-OK.
Quick!
[Isio grunts] I can pull it.
[all straining]
Pull. Pull. Pull.
-[Atefeh] Go, Nana.
-[Isio] Don't look back. Go. Go.
[Isio straining]
[warden] Oi!
Where do you think you're going?
Come here! Come here!
-Come 'ere.
-[Isio screams]
Get 'ere. Come on.
Come here.
No!
[Isio] Somewhere on the
other side of this wild night,
and the distance between us,
I'm thinking of you.
The room is slowly turning
away from the moon.
This is pleasurable.
Or shall I cross that out
and say...
it is sad?
In one of the tenses
I am singing...
an impossible song
with desire you cannot hear.
La-la-la
See?
I close my eyes
and imagine the dark hills
I would have to cross
to reach you.
For I am in love with you.
[drumming]
[woman] Somewhere on the
other side of this wide night
and the distance between us,
I am thinking of you.
The room is slowly turning away
from the moon.
This is pleasurable.
[exhales]
Or shall I cross that out
and say... it is sad?
In one of the tenses,
I am singing...
an impossible song of desire
that you cannot hear.
[distant echoing shouts]
-[door slams]
-[women chatter in the distance]
[warden]
Any valuables in here, please.
[bag rustles]
Thank you.
Take these and follow me.
[woman] I need something.
Are you deaf? Are you deaf?
[warden] You'll stay here
while the Home Office
decides your case.
If denied, you'll have
three chances to appeal.
When denied for the third time,
you'll be sent back
to your home country.
If you choose not to appeal,
you'll be sent back.
Any questions?
Credit for your phone,
minimum 5.
By law, you earn 79p a day
in here.
It's a bit useless,
if you ask me.
You'll have internet access,
but not to social media.
Your room and roommate. Farah.
Isio. Out, you two, come on.
Let her settle in.
If you've got a problem
with anyone or anything,
you let me know, all right?
We're here to help.
[clears throat]
[loud chatter continues
in the distance]
She's not here to help.
Don't let her niceness fool you.
Helping is how
they gather information.
The first couple of nights
are the hardest,
then you get used to it.
And if you don't...
nowhere else for you to go.
Mm-mm. I'm getting out of here.
Of course you will.
They either send you back,
or let you stay in the country.
I'm just trying to help you
understand how it works.
[door closes]
[sniffles]
[muffled shouting]
[woman] Turn off the light!
[sighs]
[shouting continues]
[loud chatter]
Hey, my dear, are you a man
or a woman? Pick one!
-[laughter]
-[woman] It's a he-she!
[woman 2] They just let anybody
inside here.
[loud chatter continues]
[women chatter in the distance]
[door opens]
[police siren in the distance]
[door opens]
Is this what it's going
to be like with you?
You're just going to lay there
and wait for what?
Life to happen to you?
You don't know me
or my situation.
[laughs]
Let me tell you something.
Your situation, my situation,
it doesn't matter.
What matters is us getting out.
-[woman shouting]
-[banging]
-What is that?
-Someone is being deported.
[shouting]
[woman screams] Please!
[woman wails]
[gasps]
[indistinct chatter]
[woman laughs]
[hisses] Move!
You are in our space.
Oh, sorry. I didn't know.
Wait.
You get money?
You don't understand English?
[chuckles]
I do.
Later, you'll buy me
some things.
-I don't think it's that much...
-Hmm?
But I'll buy it for you.
-OK.
-Oya, go.
-[gasps]
-[laughter]
Senseless, you got no sense?
[warden] All right, girls.
Come on.
[chatter continues]
[laughter]
[door closes]
Their thing is to bully
the newbies.
The three unwise women,
Afia's gang.
Don't let those women
get to you.
In here, you have to be tough.
I don't want any problems.
And I have my caseworker
interview coming up soon, so...
Then you should apply
for asylum.
Tell the Home Office
your real story.
I thought you said
I shouldn't trust them.
No.
I said the guards
are not helpful.
But I'm glad to know
you're listening to me.
[man] I'm David,
and I'm the caseworker
that will be deciding
on your status.
You've been exposed
as working illegally in the UK
and you've applied for asylum.
This interview will determine
if we grant you asylum.
As of today, I haven't received
a copy of your file
or your passport.
If you're denied asylum
at this stage,
you can appeal
in front of a judge.
I request that you answer
all questions verbally.
Why are you claiming asylum?
Um...
I'm a lesbian
and my mother found out.
Why can't you be gay in Nigeria?
It's illegal.
[pen scribbling]
[David]
Have you ever kissed a man
or had sexual intercourse
with one?
Yes.
How can I be sure
that you're gay?
Uh...
[Isio] No... No, no... [groans]
-[Farah] Isio.
-[gasps]
Are you OK?
-I'm fine.
-Are you sure?
Yes.
[indistinct chatter]
[distant banging]
[groans softly]
-How are you feeling?
-I'm fine.
Thanks for asking.
You missed breakfast.
I snuck something out for you.
Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
[guard slaps woman's buttocks]
You all right?
-[clicks fingers]
-You see something?
No.
Kwasia (Fool).
-What's wrong?
-This place.
If I go left, it's wrong.
If I go right, it's wrong.
You just need to learn
how it works.
And how do I do that?
Nana doesn't like me.
Afia and her friends bully me,
and you, you...
Maybe come with me to art class
tomorrow. It might help you.
Help me do what?
Express your emotions.
And let go to let in.
-Mm-hmm.
-Just try it.
It's not like you have
somewhere else to be.
[teacher]
Beautiful as ever, Farah.
Thank you, Lisa.
Your brushstroke has...
it's really improved.
I remember what you said
last week
about how I should
hold the brush.
Very good.
-Oh, this is nice.
-Thank you.
Is this somewhere
in your home country?
Wetin? It's London Bridge.
Oh, ah. Ah, yes.
It's very nice.
All that woman sees us as
is poor, hopeless immigrants.
She just wants to help.
Abeg. I'm nobody's
pathway to heaven.
I have a degree
in political science.
-What did you study?
-Philosophy.
-[laughs]
-Ah. What's so funny?
Please! Philosophy.
What is that? Which job
can you get with that one?
Ah, so you are one
of those Nigerians
who doesn't see any value
in understanding human nature.
Can you change person?
So why are you learning
about them?
And the political science
that you studied?
At least with that one,
I can organise government.
[clicks tongue]
This your Karl Marx and Spencer.
The poor man would be
rolling in his grave.
Then let him roll.
-Over and over and over again!
-[laughs]
[they laugh]
Isio. Nana, Atefeh.
-Nice to properly meet you.
-[Nana kisses her teeth]
[chuckles]
Nana doesn't like people.
I can talk for myself.
You have to learn to be friends.
Ate.
I told Isio you could try and
get her a job in the cafeteria.
Give her something to do.
Sure.
-I will try.
-Thank you.
[laughs]
You all right, girls?
Ah, no, no. Put it there.
[chatter on warden's radio]
Why doesn't Nana like me?
Nana?
It's not that
she doesn't like you.
She doesn't know you.
That's it.
In here, people,
they come, they go, it's...
it's not easy to know anyone.
Where are you from?
Nigeria.
-Hmm.
-You?
Iraq.
You have family back home?
Me, I have a son.
He's six years old.
His name is Mustafa.
Look.
I have a picture.
Habibi.
[Isio] Oh...
[chuckles] He's beautiful.
-Hmm.
-Where is he?
Germany.
The authorities, they took him.
And alhamdulillah,
I have family there.
They make sure he's OK.
When I leave here,
I will get him.
You sound so confident
about leaving.
I have to.
I have no choice.
Morning, ladies.
Is that how you fold?
What's wrong
with how I'm folding?
Ah.
You'd make a terrible housewife.
[laughs]
Who told you I wanted
to be a housewife?
Me, I want to be a CEO.
CEO of what?
People who can't fold?
Then you fold for me.
Anything else, madam?
And I'd make
an excellent housewife.
[Farah] Hmm.
My food
is very, very tantalising.
I guess I have to find out.
[they laugh]
[Isio] How does it happen
that our lives can drift
far from ourselves...
while we stay trapped in time
queuing for death?
It doesn't matter why
we're here, just how we leave.
[Isio] It seems nothing will
shift the patter for our days,
alter the rhyme we make with
loss to assonance with bliss.
-[women argue]
-[guard] All right!
Calm down, ladies. Calm down.
This is for you.
-Read it.
-Why?
It's your decision letter.
-Are you crazy?
-Get off!
-This is your life.
-Yes. My life!
[Farah] Isio, we can fight this.
The first thing we need to do...
-It's not your problem!
-[gasps]
[women chatter]
[chatter continues]
[Afia hisses]
Follow me to the shop.
I need something.
Are you deaf?
[warden] Stop! Stop! Stop it!
I don't get paid enough
for this!
[door locks]
[Farah] How are you feeling?
[Isio] I feel like I...
like I'm losing myself
in this place.
I know they're going
to send me back.
-[gasps]
-I know.
I know. I know
they're gonna send me back...
-Look at me.
-I can't. I can't.
-Look at me.
-Farah, I can't.
-I can't go back.
-Just try to breathe.
Breathe. In.
-And out.
-[exhales]
That's good.
In.
And out.
Just breathe.
Keep your eyes on me
and just breathe.
-[moans]
-That's good.
-[moans]
-That's good.
[moans]
[moans softly]
You just need to understand
this place a bit better.
Can I show you something?
What do you see?
[Isio] Guards... Women...
Look closer at Afia's gang.
[woman] Yes.
[Farah]
We do what we can to survive.
And we look out for each other.
I'll help you appeal.
There are some rules
you need to follow.
First, you need
to keep your head down
and mind your business,
and let the guards think
that we have no power.
All the guards wear
the same uniform
that subconsciously
makes us believe
that they are stronger than us.
But they can't watch everyone.
Look around you.
There are more of us than them.
[Farah]
When did you enter the country?
-Isio.
-Hmm?
When did you enter the country?
How many times
have you done this?
[Farah] Enough.
I'm on my last appeal.
I'm running out of time.
What will you do if they say no?
Run away.
You know...
Don't expect to win.
Keep fighting.
[Farah] Isio...
-Isio...
-[gasps]
What were you dreaming about?
I'm here, if you need me.
No.
I keep having the same dream.
Again and again and again.
When I first came here...
I kept dreaming about my father.
Sometimes,
I would see him in my old house.
What happened to him?
He was looking into Boko Haram.
And one day,
he did not come home.
They had taken him.
Then they came for my family.
But I wasn't at home.
I knew...
they would come for me
if I didn't get out.
How could they ever think
of sending you back?
They say just move to
a different part of the country
where they can't find you.
[laughs]
I have taken my destiny
into my own hands.
Whatever you are scared of...
it doesn't have to own you.
-You make it sound so simple.
-Sometimes it is that simple.
Freedom begins in the mind.
I'm sorry, I...
I thought...
[clears throat]
[groans softly]
So... you and Farah?
-Hmm?
-Hmm?
I see how
you look at each other.
I think it's beautiful.
-It's not that simple.
-Hmm. Why not?
I need to get out of here,
not fall in love.
-Why can't you have both?
-[scoffs]
Look at the way you're smiling.
Listen.
Of course we have to think
about the future, and have hope.
But we could be deported
at any moment.
Look at us.
We've already lost
so much in life.
How much more
do you want to lose
before you realise
you deserve to be happy?
[sprays table]
[indistinct chatter]
Farah, I wanted to, um...
I wasn't expecting this.
Me neither.
Will... Will you...
Uh, you know, um... [laughs]
Can we take it slow?
-[indistinct chatter]
-[board game pieces moving]
[Farah groans]
-[dice rattle on table]
-What?
If there was another way
out of here, would you take it?
If it meant going back
to the life I was living,
then no.
I've lost too much
of myself already.
There's only one way
to get out of here.
-MMA fighter, Isio.
-[laughs]
Wallahi, Nana, the only way
you know how to fight
is with your mouth.
[Nana]
Abeg, let's go to art class.
Do you guys really find
that art class helpful?
I find it can be helpful.
-You should come.
-I'm OK.
-How was your art teacher?
-She was nice.
-She asked about you.
-Asked about me, eh?
Are you sure
not about your brush strokes?
[laughs] You need to stop
with this your jealousy.
Who is jealous
of the two of you?
[laughs]
[laughs]
What is it?
My appeal date.
You'll be fine.
Just tell the judge the truth.
[Isio] I got my first job
right after I graduated.
It was in a bank.
Nothing special.
But my mother was so proud.
It was there that I met Abiye.
We flirted.
At first,
it was just playful joking.
We used to call each other
"wife".
One day...
she kissed me.
This was... It was then
that I knew that I liked women.
I had kissed men before,
but nothing felt like this.
With men, it felt...
obligatory.
One weekend, my mother was away,
so I called Abiye to come over.
This was my first time
sleeping with a woman.
It felt... natural.
Nothing wrong with this.
My...
My neighbour...
called my mother...
who came home...
with two men from the church.
They dragged Abiye
out of the room and...
locked me inside.
I...
I was locked in that room for...
for three days
while four different men...
raped me.
My mother said
I just needed a man,
that it would fix me.
I managed to escape and I ran.
I just ran.
I took all the money I saved up
and I bought my way here.
I can't go back.
I can't. I can't.
How did it go?
I don't know.
We planned something
that will cheer you up.
Who's "we"?
[Atefeh and Nana chatter]
[Atefeh] I think in my country,
we do it better.
[Nana] What do you mean,
in your country?
-[Atefeh laughs]
-Are you guys...
Actually, this was Nana's idea.
The first appeal
is always the hardest.
Besides, I wanted some
Ghanaian jollof and chicken.
-Thank you, Nana.
-Mm.
I just want you to know,
Nigerian jollof is the best.
Chale! You Nigerians
shouldn't come and start.
Atefeh, today you're a Ghanaian,
so you better support me.
-I always support you.
-Hm!
[they laugh]
[laughter and chatter]
[gentle piano music
plays over dialogue]
[laughter]
-Nana's j-rice, it was OK.
-[Farah laughs]
Thank you.
[Farah] It wasn't just me.
I know.
Are you sure?
[Isio moans softly]
[Isio] Are we being naive?
What if this is all we can be?
If they send us back.
What if that didn't happen?
If we had a chance of life
on the outside?
[warden] Morning, girls.
I need to tell you something.
What's going on?
You didn't tell her?
I thought
we could do it together.
-Tell me what?
-We're escaping.
[laughs]
Yalla, Nana.
I...
I want you to come with us.
Say something.
This way we can be together.
You were just saying
about us getting out.
I meant legally!
I know people
who can help us on the outside.
Passports. We can get real jobs.
Isio.
What about us?
I could get my appeal.
[clicks teeth] Hm.
[door closes]
[indistinct chatter]
[singing and clapping]
[woman] Come on, join in!
Chale.
You really love this library,
sha.
You know,
I've never been here before.
This thing with Farah, you need
to figure it out. Listen.
You're a nice person.
Unfortunately, naive at times.
But I can forgive that.
But the issue with nice people
is that you never do
what's right for you.
Stop avoiding your feelings
and listen to your heart.
-I thought you didn't like me.
-I don't.
I'm just tired of seeing
Farah sad.
[door closes]
[clears throat]
Can we talk?
I...
I don't want us to end.
Me or you could be taken
at any moment.
I still have to go through
my appeal process.
I have to try and do things
the right way.
But... I want you.
Even though
it doesn't make sense.
I want you.
[indistinct chatter]
Chale. You're loving her again?
[laughs]
[Atefeh] Just listen to us.
I read a book about
a man in Australia
who escaped by pretending
to be a translator.
And the guards, they helped him.
As soon as we have James' card,
we can get out.
And you just want to walk out
of the front door?
Why are you here
if you're not coming with us?
There are still some things
to sort out
which I think Isio
can help us with.
We need to know who else
is working that night.
We're already working on Lisa,
see if she can help us.
That is why you're always
going to that useless art class.
Why would she would help?
She's always talking about
burning the system down.
How it doesn't work.
It's her chance to prove that.
And Farah is her favourite,
so she will convince her
to hide us in her car.
And then, we get out of here.
[Isio]
Let's say you're successful
and you do get out of here,
what's the first thing
you'll do?
Hmm.
When we are both out...
[chuckles]
I will take you
on a proper date.
Hmm!
But what if it is I
that wants to take you out?
Hmm.
Where?
Well...
first, it would
have to be daytime,
so that I can see
your beautiful face.
[they laugh]
Oh! I know this nice Vietnamese
restaurant in Deptford.
They also do karaoke.
-I like karaoke.
-[chuckles] Same.
[chuckles]
Then... I will make you
something very special.
At home.
[laughter]
What will our home be like?
[Isio] No white walls.
I hate white walls.
We will make it ours.
And we wouldn't
have to hide our love.
Farah.
Today is my birthday.
-What?
-[chuckles]
We could have done something.
No, I don't wanna make
a fuss about it.
-Happy birthday.
-Thank you.
-Happy birthday to you!
-[laughter]
You have a letter.
-[door closes]
-It's OK.
Open it.
I can't do this anymore.
Don't give up.
It's what they want.
You'll have another chance
to appeal.
You did what you
thought was right.
Nana.
-You're being sentimental?
-Shut up.
I'm surprised you haven't said,
"I told you so."
Why would we?
We've all been
where you are now.
You'll get through it.
Isio. Wait.
I don't know if I'll have
the strength to appeal again.
-So come with us.
-Where?
-We can try again.
-Where will I...
Farah. They've denied
your final appeal.
You're being deported
immediately, I'm afraid.
-What? Denied?
-Please. Please.
I don't wanna
have to forcibly remove you,
so please cooperate with me,
yeah?
-No, James...
-Isio, step out of my way.
Don't touch me.
Step out, Isio, please.
[overlapping voices]
-[screams]
-Stop struggling!
-Stop.
-[yells]
Hey, hey, hey!
Stay down! [screams]
[Farah] Isio!
[yelling]
Right, stop it now.
[muffled voices]
[sobs]
[door opens]
[birds sing]
Next time, get your own food.
Do something
instead of lying around
feeling sorry for yourself.
[warden] You all right, love?
Just checking in on you.
Anything we can do for you?
I'm OK.
Isio, habibti, you need to move.
I heard the guards talking about
putting you on suicide watch.
Is this another letter?
I'm sure Farah is trying
to find a way back to you.
In the meantime...
you still have a choice.
Use it.
How else
will you find each other?
[door closes]
[women chatter]
Hey.
I see you've emerged
from your cave. Smile.
Fine, girl.
How do you feel?
Better.
You know, we thought we were
going to have to drag you out.
Uh, excuse me, no, no.
Not "we", you.
Me, I understand
that grieving takes time.
Which kind grieving?
-Chale, did Farah die?
-[scoffs]
Is it just not to get out
of here and find her?
Uh.
[Atefeh] Anyway...
-We missed you.
-Mm-mm. She missed you.
-Oh-ho, Nana missed you.
-[Nana] Don't touch me!
[woman laughs]
[Farah laughs]
[Farah] When we are both out,
I'll take you on a proper date.
If there was another way
out of here, would you take it?
Whatever you are scared of,
it does not have to own you.
Freedom begins in the mind.
This is your room
and roommate, Isio.
Nisma. Keep to yourself.
Don't cause no trouble.
And if you've got a problem
with anyone or anything,
let me know.
We're here to help.
She's not here to help,
by the way.
Helping is how
they gather information.
The first two days
are the hardest.
It's OK.
You'll get used to it.
I didn't think
I would end up here.
Who does?
Hm.
Can I ask you something?
Just ask.
Why are you sleeping with James?
I thought he could help.
He said he could ensure
my stay in the country.
By the time I realised
he couldn't...
he pressured me.
If I didn't give him
what he wanted,
he would make sure I got
sent home for seducing a guard.
I don't know if it's true,
but...
I don't want to find out.
I know you want to play
by the rules
and wait for your final appeal.
But what will you do
if you don't succeed?
-Oh! Sorry.
-That's all right, love.
[Atefeh and Nana chatter]
I can get us out.
Come.
-What do you mean?
-[women chatter outside]
Listen. I sat in that room
and watched as a new girl
came in and took Farah's place.
And all I could think of
was how naive I was
when they first brought me here.
-You're not the only one.
-[Isio] No.
But I should have listened
to the both of you before.
I need to know that Farah is OK.
OK.
What do you have in mind?
So...
it might sound a little crazy,
but let me land.
We need the electrician
to be called out...
[whispers] Go to the door. Go.
So that we can get
his wire-cutters.
[electrician] Cheers.
-When he gets here...
-This place is falling apart.
-I will distract him.
-If it's not the light,
it's something else. Honestly.
-Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry!
-Are you OK?
It will give you a chance
to hide them.
-[Isio] Oh, thank you.
-That's all right.
Atefeh, help her.
We need to move the camera
to create a blind spot
in the garden.
We will use Afia's gang and
their dealings as our cloak.
At some point,
they will create a diversion
to distract the guards.
As soon as the diversion begins,
we start cutting the fence.
I'm not sure about this plan.
Cutting wires, cameras...
And you thought the other plan
was any better?
[laughs] You really thought Lisa
was just going to walk
all of us out of here?
This fence, it's not easy
to cut. The wires are thick.
[Isio] I know.
It will take us some time,
but...
what do we have to lose? Hm?
-I'm willing to try it.
-Yes, Nana.
No.
Think about Mustafa.
[sighs]
OK.
I will try.
[indistinct chatter]
[Isio] Making sure
we move the cameras...
and the guards don't see us...
we cut what we can each day.
[grunts]
[warden] Break it up, girls.
[women chatter]
Isio, stop.
[Nana] Even if you escape
and look for Farah,
when you get deported,
it's hard in your home country.
Some people end up in prison.
Some destitute.
Some die.
I know.
But Farah is different.
I feel it's taking too long.
Maybe they will catch us.
Don't worry, guys.
-We just have to finish...
-[door opens]
Come, let's go.
-Why doesn't Nana like me?
-Nana doesn't like anybody.
Isio's jollof is better.
-I thought you were my friend.
-Mm-mm.
To Farah. I will find you.
Farah.
Mmm.
[Lisa] That's great.
I'm learning to let go
to let in.
[sobs]
What do I do now?
You fight.
I don't know if I can.
I can't. I can't.
You can.
Whatever happens, you
cannot lose yourself in here.
Have you guys packed?
It needs to be light.
Why are you directing that
at me? I like to look good.
We don't have time to look good.
We need to be quick.
Don't worry, I've packed,
light... ish.
-Who will make the diversion?
-Leave that to me.
Are you sure?
I just need to make a few people
think their things were stolen.
[women chatter]
[woman] Grace? Grace?
How dare you steal from me?
[Grace] What are you talking
about? Get out of my face!
[women yelling]
[chatter over warden's radio]
Yalla, let's go.
Isio, come on. Hurry!
-Come on, pull!
-OK.
Quick!
[Isio grunts] I can pull it.
[all straining]
Pull. Pull. Pull.
-[Atefeh] Go, Nana.
-[Isio] Don't look back. Go. Go.
[Isio straining]
[warden] Oi!
Where do you think you're going?
Come here! Come here!
-Come 'ere.
-[Isio screams]
Get 'ere. Come on.
Come here.
No!
[Isio] Somewhere on the
other side of this wild night,
and the distance between us,
I'm thinking of you.
The room is slowly turning
away from the moon.
This is pleasurable.
Or shall I cross that out
and say...
it is sad?
In one of the tenses
I am singing...
an impossible song
with desire you cannot hear.
La-la-la
See?
I close my eyes
and imagine the dark hills
I would have to cross
to reach you.
For I am in love with you.
[drumming]