The Crossing

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The Crossing takes us along one of the most dangerous journeys of our time with a group of Syrian women, men and children fleeing war and persecution, crossing the Mediterranean searching for safety in Europe. It brought the moving stories of Angela, Afaf, Mustafa, Nabil and Salwa to millions of people across the world.

Scripted, directed and filmed by George Kurian, The Crossing changed the narrative on the European ‘refugee crisis’ through an intimate personal story of Syrians risking their lives on treacherous seas to enter the continent.

“What makes this film different is it doesn't just cover the refugees cross the Mediterranean, but follows them as they attempt to resettle in Europe to create a home...” - BBC World News Talking Movies

The Guardian praised The Crossing as one of the five movies to look out for at the Human Rights Watch film festival. 

• Broadcast on national TV networks in more than 30 countries
• Winner of 4 best documentary awards
• Screened at more than 40 international film festivals

The Crossing is still actively used by political activists, human-rights workers, schools and universities to create a greater understanding of displacements and the reasons for the “refugee crisis”. It has been licensed by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and universities across the world.

The United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been screening The Crossing all over the world to raise awareness about refugees, and afterwards the conference leaders said it was the only thing that made delegates see the true human side of the numbers and strategies they were discussing.

It had a similar impact in the European Union's diplomatic service (EEAS) where it is still used as a resource tool. 

The Crossing - IMDB
Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) Data Base

Interviews

BBC World News Talking Movies - Interview 

Lens Culture - George Kurian's work as a filmmaker and photo journalist
Humans Rights Watch Film Festival Q&A - George Kurian discusses his film The Crossing with Bill Frelick, Refugees Program Director, Human Rights Watch
TRT World - Interview with director George Kurian about The Crossing on TRT World   
Film Journal - “The Crossing is distinguished by its journalistic style and intent, and by Nabil’s incredibly beautiful composition for the oud, portions of which weave through the documentary like wisps of hope.”
Cinema Politica -  Q&A in Montreal, Canada
NPR Radio, Chicago - Radio interview with director George Kurian

Reviews 

The Guardian - "Five movies to look out for at the Human Rights Watch film festival..."
United Nations Information Service (UNIS) - “The Crossing is an intimate portrayal of hope and heartbreak in a Syrian group's flight to Europe..."
Swedish Film Institute (SFI) - Q&A with director George Kurian
Hot Docs Review  - "The Crossing will open your eyes towards refugees."
Aftenposten (Norway's leading newspaper) - “The Crossing gives us a valuable insight into the human drama that unfolds in the Mediterranean sea. The documentary is likely to be seen by more than 30 million people.”
Ultrasawt - Review of the Crossing in Arabic
It’s just movies - Review
Humans Rights Watch (HRW) - The Crossing screened at Human Rights Watch festivals at Basel, Chicago, London, New York, San Diego and Zurich
CineVue Review - “Kurian reminds us that hopes and dreams don’t diminish when people are forced to leave their homeland, and illuminates some of the harshest problems faced by refugees while trying to build a new life in a foreign world.”
MUBI reviews & viewer ratings of The Crossing - “Lovingly made and surprisingly light hearted, this documentary hit me right in the heart.”