On Tuesday, 5 August, members of our volunteer team attended a special screening of Small Boats: The Border Conundrum at Brighton’s Lantern Theatre. The evening offered a thought-provoking insight into the complex political and social dynamics surrounding small boat crossings to the UK, with box office proceeds and donations going directly to support Voices in Exile’s work.
The issue of small boat crossings has become a heated political and humanitarian debate, but how do Britain and France each view this crisis?
Produced by Anne Daguerre and Nick Lazar, this timely film delves deep into the contrasting perspectives between Britain and France regarding migration, border security, and humanitarian responsibility. Through candid interviews with officials, activists, academics, and migrants themselves, the documentary highlights the stark differences and surprising commonalities in how both nations navigate this shared challenge.
Following a successful premiere at Duke’s at Komedia, Brighton, and a vibrant panel discussion, the film continues to spark important conversations.
A fresh perspective on the Channel crossings debate
The documentary takes a fresh angle, focusing on the often-fraught relationship between France and the UK when it comes to migration across the Channel
and interpolating perspectives from both countries. Rather than centring on the lived experiences of migrants (which the filmmakers noted has been well-covered elsewhere) the film looks at the interplay between politicians, rights groups, and filmmakers, revealing the tensions, misunderstandings, and sometimes flawed assumptions that shape policy and public opinion.
The documentary also explored the British government’s “smash the gangs” approach, questioning its effectiveness in addressing the underlying causes of dangerous Channel crossings.
Challenging questions in the Q&A
Following the screening, filmmakers Dr Anne Daguerre, a social justice policy academic at the University of Brighton, and Nick Lazar, a director, filmmaker and actor, led a Q&A session.
Audience members asked challenging questions about the absence of certain political voices, the role of the media in shaping public perception, and the need for more context and fact-checking in the national conversation.
Discussions also touched on issues such as the organisation of smuggling networks, the reasons why many migrants want to leave France, and the realities those who arrive in the UK via other routes and later claim asylum face.
Why events like this matter
For our team, the evening was both inspiring and sobering. It underlined the need for more informed, nuanced discussions about migration – ones that recognise the human realities behind the headlines, challenge harmful narratives, and push for policies grounded in justice and compassion.
We are very grateful to Anne, Nick and the other organisers for not only hosting this screening but also directing proceeds to Voices in Exile, helping us continue our work supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants in the local area.
To find out more about the documentary, including details of how you can watch it, visit smallboatsdocumentary.com.
