A Nigerian-British filmmaker recently faced an awkward moment after screening her debut feature film 'Dreamers' at the London Film Festival. Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor's semi-autobiographical love story set in an immigration detention centre elicited a response from a gruff caseworker during her asylum interview: "What have you done sexually with a woman? What have you done sexually with a man?" The question was part of a series that left the filmmaker bewildered, as the caseworker seemed to be probing for information about her sexuality.
Gharoro-Akpojotor recalled that she had been warned that her asylum application could take years to process. But thanks to a rapport-building session with a Home Office caseworker from Dagenham, where Gharoro-Akpojotor worked in a bookmaker's, the caseworker unexpectedly approved her claim. While this development was fortunate for the filmmaker, it highlights the issues of immigration and the human experience that her film aims to address.
The 'Dreamers' film portrays the grim reality of the UK immigration system, which fails to listen to its applicants or consider their stories. However, Gharoro-Akpojotor's movie also offers a message of hope through its portrayal of female friendships and romance in the detention centre. The script subtly challenges stereotypes about refugees, depicting characters who are intelligent, funny, and multifaceted.
As for the recent protests against hotels housing asylum seekers, Gharoro-Akpojotor expressed her disapproval, arguing that these protests should be directed at the government rather than against those seeking refuge. Her goal is to create films that challenge people's perceptions of social issues, inspiring empathy and understanding towards individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Gharoro-Akpojotor has built a reputation as a rising star producer in the film industry, producing movies such as 'Blue Story' and 'Boxing Day'. With her upcoming project about a young man with mental health problems, she aims to promote empathy and challenge viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of others.
Gharoro-Akpojotor recalled that she had been warned that her asylum application could take years to process. But thanks to a rapport-building session with a Home Office caseworker from Dagenham, where Gharoro-Akpojotor worked in a bookmaker's, the caseworker unexpectedly approved her claim. While this development was fortunate for the filmmaker, it highlights the issues of immigration and the human experience that her film aims to address.
The 'Dreamers' film portrays the grim reality of the UK immigration system, which fails to listen to its applicants or consider their stories. However, Gharoro-Akpojotor's movie also offers a message of hope through its portrayal of female friendships and romance in the detention centre. The script subtly challenges stereotypes about refugees, depicting characters who are intelligent, funny, and multifaceted.
As for the recent protests against hotels housing asylum seekers, Gharoro-Akpojotor expressed her disapproval, arguing that these protests should be directed at the government rather than against those seeking refuge. Her goal is to create films that challenge people's perceptions of social issues, inspiring empathy and understanding towards individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Gharoro-Akpojotor has built a reputation as a rising star producer in the film industry, producing movies such as 'Blue Story' and 'Boxing Day'. With her upcoming project about a young man with mental health problems, she aims to promote empathy and challenge viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of others.
and I started thinking about how much I love the whole "unknown" thing in sci-fi, like no one really knows what's going on behind those doors or in that room... it's so cool! anyway back to immigration, have you ever noticed how hard it is for people to just get a visa or residency without having their life story scrutinized? it's like, can't we just give ppl a break and let them settle down already? 
... if we're tryna make films that educate people & challenge stereotypes, why do we still have ppl protesting hotels for asylum seekers instead of goin after the gov't? 
seems like the gov't is gettin away with a lot here... maybe Gharoro-Akpojotor's right, we need to start changin the conversation 
It's so sad that Joy had to go through that, especially since she was already feeling uncertain about her application process.
. It's a reminder that we're all just trying to survive and thrive, regardless of where we come from.
. We need more creators like her who are using their platforms to promote empathy and understanding. Let's keep spreading love and kindness, one story at a time 
... they're protesting against people who are trying to start a new life, seeking refuge from war or persecution... shouldn't we be supporting them instead of judging them? 
The fact that the caseworker just kept pushing for info about Joy's sex life is just wrong, you know? Like, isn't their job to assess her claim based on her experiences and story? 
. We should be directing our outrage at the government for not doing enough to support asylum seekers, not at the people seeking refuge themselves. It's just basic human decency, you know? 
her debut feature film "dreamers" is literally about immigration detention centres and she's already dealing with caseworker drama that's, like, super personal 
asking about ur sexuality during asylum interviews? no thank u 
and btw, can we pls direct our frustrations towards govts instead of asylum seekers? 
I mean, can you believe this? The platform's chat section is still super glitchy today, like it freezes every 5 minutes or something. Okay, anyway... Gharoro-Akpojotor's film 'Dreamers' sounds like a real tear-jerker. It's kinda messed up that the caseworker asked those kinds of questions during her asylum interview though. I don't think anyone should have to go through that kind of awkwardness. And honestly, who knew immigration interviews could be so... uncomfortable? 
anyway, love that the film is sparkin conversations about immigration & human experience 
the fact that the caseworker approved her claim after a rapport-building session just proves that personal connections can make all the difference 
her film 'Dreamers' is so brave and necessary 
we need more stories like this one 
The film 'Dreamers' is a great way to bring attention to this issue, but it's also really frustrating that it has to be portrayed like this in the first place. 
We need more films like 'Dreamers' that challenge our perceptions and inspire empathy, but we also need real change on the ground. 
meanwhile protests against hotels housing asylum seekers are like really not fair 
and on the bright side thats like super nice of the caseworker to approve her claim tho 
but honestly i feel bad for the filmmaker having to go thru all that 
! Like, who asks someone for their sex history during an asylum interview? 
anyway, 'Dreamers' is def a film worth checking out 
. Her film 'Dreamers' is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves respect and empathy, regardless of their background or circumstances 
it's already hard enough for ppl to navigate, but being grilled about ur sexuality? no thanks