Aisha: A Journey Through Darkness with Some Cheeky Light
“My father owed them money, he asked them to pay for my college. They came to put me to work for them on the road, but I can’t sell myself on the streets.” Ah, the classic tale of debts and itinerant labor – ‘Debt Collectors: The Musical’ isn’t a thing yet, but trust me, if Aisha’s story—portrayed by the brilliant Letitia Wright—were made into a booming Broadway hit, I’d be first in line, popcorn in hand!
This gripping narrative by Frank Berry tells the story of Aisha Osagie, who, instead of donning a cap and singing jolly tunes, finds herself navigating the unforgiving terrain of bureaucracy and asylum systems, where the only song to be heard is the heavy sighs of underpaid officials and the rustle of endless paperwork. If you thought getting a refund from HMRC was tough, just wait until you try to secure a place to sleep as an asylum seeker!
The Story of Aisha Osagie
Some gangsters kill Aisha’s father and brother because, let’s face it, nothing says “family bonding” quite like a group of armed thugs over dinner. Her mother goes into hiding, and Aisha embarks on a perilous trip to Ireland, looking for asylum. You’d think she’d be welcomed with open arms and maybe a complimentary pot of Irish stew, but instead, she meets the cold, hard reality of vague forms and unhelpful officials. It’s enough to make you want to scream “IT’S NOT A GAME OF CLUE!”
Yet here’s Aisha, tough as nails, determined to pick up the pieces from a shattered past, while officials ask her for proof of her grief as if she’s trying to return an ill-fitting jumper. The girl’s got grit, and her tale is a testament to resilience in the face of a system that could make anyone weep. You didn’t come here for tears, though – grab the tissues; this is a rollercoaster!
Connor: The Unsung Hero
Enter Connor, played by Josh O’Connor, who is less ‘fairy godmother’ and more ‘dark past turned good and kind heart’—the type you don’t find getting a pint at the bar. He’s a night security guard who, after serving time and having a few less-than-stellar life choices, wants to turn his life around. Think of him as the ‘anti-hero’ who isn’t exactly wearing a cape but could at least wrap Aisha in a comforting blanket of kindness amid all the chaos.
Their connection becomes the flickering candle in a dark room. While Aisha’s world seems to be closing in around her—much like that awkward moment you realize you’ve run out of snacks during a binge-watch—Connor shines some much-needed warmth through his understanding. It’s a reminder that sometimes, just when things couldn’t get worse, a sprinkle of human connection can ignite hope. I mean, what are the odds? Isn’t this just like that cliché friendzone rom-com? But with a lot more political commentary and way fewer dance numbers.
Spain: A Reality Check
Now, speaking of reality, the film paints a picture that closely resembles the asylum landscape in Spain today. In 2023, Spain became a prime destination for those seeking international protection, edging closer to the top of the EU list. With an increase in applications, these figures are starting to resemble a football score – “88,206 applications for asylum to date!”, and I thought it was only my toaster that had a knack for getting stuck in numbers.
More surprising stats? 62% of those applications resolved positively, with Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru leading the charge. But don’t let the statistics fool you; behind every number lies a story that deserves to be told – preferably one with less drama than a daytime soap opera!
Film Acknowledgments and Where to Watch
2023 was a huge year for Aisha, racking up 10 nominations at the Irish Film and Television Awards! That’s more than I have on my Pinterest board I swear. With accolades including ‘Best Director’ for Frank Berry, it’s as if this film is practically giving speeches. Want to catch it? It’s available on RTVE Play, streaming now! Just remember: popcorn and tissues required.
In conclusion, Aisha is not just a film; it’s a powerful depiction of the struggles faced by exile-seekers with a brilliant storytelling flair. Aisha’s courage, Connor’s support, and the absurd realities of bureaucracy come together to create a narrative that is inspiring yet humanly relatable. So, while Aisha’s story is rooted in heartache, one must appreciate that even the heaviest tales can have moments that make you chuckle—if only to help you through the valleys of despair!
“My father owed them money, he asked them to pay for my college. They came to put me to work for them on the road, but I can’t sell myself on the streets.” It could be a real story of everyday life, but it is the plot and the main reason why the young Nigerian Aisha Osagie, starring Letitia Wright, has to leave her country and seek international protection.
A moving film directed by Frank Berry about the numerous obstacles to immigrants, the search for asylum through insensitive social services and a bureaucracy full of problems, but with a point of light at the end of the tunnel thanks to Connor, a person who will become indispensable for the protagonist.
La historia de Aisha Osaige
Some gangsters kill Aisha’s father and brother. Now they seek revenge through the protagonist and her mother for not having been able to pay off the debt for financial help for the future of their children. The mother hides on the other side of the country and Aisha manages to reach Ireland, where she asks for asylum, but far from helping her, she only finds obstacles in being able to rebuild her life.
Yet; the contempt of the officials, the request for evidence that proves Aisha’s unfortunate past, the eviction of the numerous shelters where she is sheltered… the protagonist appears strong and independentwanting to resolve their past in order to have a different future.
Connor: the importance of having support
Aisha only finds obstacles in finding a ‘home’ and if that were not enough, the officials of the multiple centers where she lives make her life impossible. All except one. Connor, played by Josh O’Connoris a night security guard who, due to his dark past as a former prisoner and bad experiences, wants to change his way of being, becomes a good person and will be your main support. While Aisha is trapped in the Irish immigration system, they meet at one of the accommodation centres.
Aisha with Connor, her greatest support in the film
The plot with Connor try to shed some light within the darkness in which the protagonist lives. The story of two wounded characters who only try to overcome bad times by accompanying each other to seek happiness together. As the doors close for Aisha, she realizes that maybe Connor is the only good thing she has left in her life.
Spain: historical record in asylum applications
The asylum situation that Aisha experiences in the film is not far from reality. In 2023, Spain will consolidate itself as the third country receiving international protection from the European Union. According to provisional data from the Ministry of the Interior, between January and June 2024 88,206 applications for international protection were submitted1,100 more than in the same period of the previous year (87,106). 2023 ended with 163,220 applications and according to the data from the first semester, This year a new historical maximum could be reached in Spain.
In the first six months of this year, Spain has favorably resolved 3,849 International Protection cases; 62% have had their right to receive refugee status recognized (2,377 people) and 38% have had subsidiary protection (1,472 people).
Venezuela, Colombia and Peru continue in the first positions of citizens seeking refuge, although requests from Sub-Saharan African countries, such as Senegal or Mali, increase, the latter being the first country that has obtained the most international protection.
The cinema of La 2 – Aisha (preview)
Movie Acknowledgments and Where to Watch
In 2023, Aisha was nominated in 10 categories of the Irish Film and Television Awards, being winners in the categories of ‘Best Director’ to Frank Berry, ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Production Design’ to Tamara Conboy. In 2022, she was the winner of the ‘Official Section’ at the Cork International Film Festival. It was also the winner of ‘Best Fiction Feature Film’ at the Louth International Film Festival.
This renowned and realistic film, with an abrupt ending, without easy and quick answers, unfortunately for Aisha and many other people in real life, is now available on RTVE Play.
