Between its reliance on non-professional actors (plus Toby Jones) and first-hand stories, docu-maker Bruce Goodison’s drama about young asylum seekers aims for authenticity. It gets halfway there, withheld partly by forced plotting: as confident Omar (Noof Ousellam), fearful Abdul (Zarrien Masieh) and scarred Zizidi (Yasmin Mwanza) await news of their refugee status under teacher Nigel’s (Jones) watch, some twists strike false notes.
Alt-J’s laboured score strikes plenty, too. Goodison’s ace is his cast: when he just lets us watch them, their natural warmth provides all the conviction needed.
