Hostile
Hostile is a feature-length documentary focusing on the UK’s complicated relationship with its migrant communities. The film focuses on the impact of the evolving ‘hostile environment’ policies that target migrants.
Writer, Producer and Director: Sonita Gale
Editor: Alex Fry
Executive Producers: Nitin Sawhney, Charlotte Fisher
For all these years, I have been giving, giving, giving. I haven’t claimed a single penny of government money. Now I’m thinking, did I waste 17 years of my life giving back to this country?
The film
Hostile examines the UK’s Hostile Environment — A term coined by Theresa May in 2012 to refer to a collection of immigration policies she introduced as Home Secretary. It captures the atmosphere the government wanted to create for migrants in the country, with the intention of provoking them to leave the UK of their own accord.
With the controversial Rwanda Asylum Plan or the Manston Immigration Centre crisis dominating headlines, this film maintains its relevance as we enter a new era of stricter immigration regulation.
What does it mean to be British? How does it feel to be told you don’t belong?
A series of sweeping changes in legislation suggest these are questions we should all be considering. Starting with the 2021 Points Based Immigration System, and continuing with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act and Nationality and Borders Act, which were both passed in 2022, now is the time to take a look at the impact these policies have on our communities.
“Discrimination is already built into the system… What you have is bad legislation piled on top of bad legislation, piled on top of bad legislation.” – MAYA GOODFELLOW, PARTICIPANT
The film examines where Britain could be heading if these policies are not reformed.