Review for ‘‘The Deportation of a Model Citizen’’ by Jacob Thomas Pilgaard

The Deportation of a Model Citizen directly and brutally confronts Denmark’s unethical decision of considering Syria a safe country, thus leaving refugees in the country to face deportation, war and political repression back home.

Jacob Thomas Pilgaard, already an accomplished director, crafts a hauntingly beautiful drama that begins extremely strong, cutting right to the chase, but fizzling out towards the end. The plot is very simple, and follows two danish agents’ attempt to quietly deport a young girl from Syria, and through Aida’s final goodbyes to her friends, family & teacher, we observe the characters’ effect on one another.

Everything from the dark and dreamy cinematography & soundtrack to the acting is stellar, the camerawork punctuating the oppressive and claustrophobic situation Aida finds herself in. The plot only slightly falters, with the sudden disappearance of one of the characters from the story, and the rather sudden change of heart of the other.

The film loses no time getting to the point and pulls no punches concerning the issue of deportations, especially those of perfectly adjusted and productive citizens such as our protagonist. Although the ending unfortunately doesn’t reflect the fate of most refugees facing deportation, it underlines the power of the individual when faced with systemic injustice, and the dichotomy of what is mandated by law, and what is truly ethical. All in all a hopeful & passionately accusatory project, with lot more virtues than flaws.