Plot

A timely and provocative thriller that confronts religious and political freedom, Nigel Barker's The Refuge is the powerful story of two Kurdish men who smuggle themselves out of Iraq into London and take asylum in a land which promises them freedom and opportunities. Through a glitch in "the system" Mahmoud and Rezghar are sought by the police for deportation back to a country where they will surely be killed. Taking refuge in a church, the two fugitives plead their case to Father Michael, a compassionate priest who wants to do the right thing. As the pressure builds to release the boys to the authorities, Father Michael must not only confront anger and resentment from the police, church officials and his own congregation, but must also try to assuage the ever growing desperation of the two Kurds. As the tension rises outside the Church, those inside must content with personal convictions about trust, conscience, betrayal and faith.

Reception

Awards:
(Winner)San Francisco Sonoma WCFF Jack London Award for Best Screenplay,
(Winner)Cinequest San Jose Film Festival Director's Award

Reviews:
Metroactive (5.0) ""Real emotional depth...""
Film Festivals:
Cinequest Film Festival,
Hamptons Film Festival

Trailers and Artwork

Key Art:

Key Frames: Trailer links:

Quotes and Credits

Credits

Director Nigel Barker

Gaffer Iris Ng

Assistant Costume Designer Magdalen Rubalcava

Production Companies Constant Communication

Production Companies Enterprise Films

Production Companies Maximise Ltd.

Father Michael David Bradley

Cynic Frank Boyce

Ali Shamal Tony Resta

Officer Reid Gary Condes

Lana Baram Dina Mousawi

John Hourihane Mark Mooney

Mahmoud Nasdar Nabil Elouahabi

Rezghar Farman Fuman Dar

Costume Design Rebecca Duncan

Cinematography Alex Metcalfe

Original Music Stuart Briner

Mark Jake Seal

Assistant Camera Dale Buckton

Digital Color Grader Lise Mierca

Production Sound Mixer Darko Mocilnikar

First Assistant Director Jamie D. Allen

Writer Nigel Barker

Producer Melloney Roff

Associate Producer Jackie Vance

Writer Simon Ricketts

Producer Nigel Barker