CinemaSerf

There is something perfectly apposite about the title of this semi-comedic tale of four young Syrian refugees stuck on a remote, but curious and friendly, Scottish island whilst they await a decision on their asylum applications. Living in an unfurnished house they must reconcile their constant restlessness with their desire to integrate and to settle somewhere - whilst trying to adapt to the less the friendly weather conditions! The principle character is "Omar" (Amir El-Masry) who was once an accomplished musician, but since his migration has lost the motivation to play. It's only when his friend/agent/manager tries to convince him to play in the village hall, and after several rather amusing conversations from a phone box with his parents at home, that we think that maybe he might just get his oud out once again. It's a gently paced, frequently amusing observation of the effects of ennui on these men and it's not all happy endings either. Well worth a watch.