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efore its demolition in 2016, the Calais Jungle – known as the home to thousands of refugees and migrants – served as a beacon of hope for those seeking asylum in France or a passage to the UK. The camp, consisting of makeshift tents and lacking basic necessities, was made more bearable by the tireless efforts of grassroots activists. Thomas Laurance’s remarkable documentary brings attention to the lived experiences of the residents and highlights the cultural vibrancy and solidarity that emerged amidst the challenging circumstances.
Although there are appearances from well-known figures like actor Juliet Stevenson, the focus of this film is on ordinary British individuals who felt a shared responsibility and were compelled to take action. In a time when NGO operations faced bureaucratic hurdles, volunteers arrived in Calais armed with housing materials and life-saving supplies. They assisted in constructing more secure housing units, as well as shops, restaurants, and even a theater space. While the facilities were basic, these efforts fostered a sense of normality and community for individuals whose basic rights were being denied by state institutions.
Rather than assuming a savior complex, many volunteers grappled with the moral implications of their work. By improving the living conditions of the migrants, they questioned whether they inadvertently encouraged their attempts to make the dangerous Channel crossing. One particularly unforgettable scene depicts a social worker exchanging texts with a seven-year-old Afghan boy who was suffocating inside a lorry container. This haunting moment reveals the human tragedy concealed by faceless statistics – a matter of life and death. While the volunteers may deny the politicization of their work, their empathy remains the most powerful weapon against oppressive ideologies.
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