Central Airport THF

Central Airport THF is a cinematic masterpiece by Karim Aïnouz, released in 2018. The film offers a rare insight into the lives of the refugees living in Tempelhof Airport, Berlin. It showcases the resilience, the survival spirit, and the journey towards belonging of the protagonists, Ibrahim Al Hussein, Qutaiba Nafer, and Maria Alahmad.

Central Airport THF highlights the strange and surreal reality of an abandoned Berlin airport turned refugee shelter. The airport hails from the Nazi era and once served as one of the world’s busiest airports; it has since been repurposed as a temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. The director, Karim Aïnouz, brings to us the paradox of this historical symbol of mobility transformed into a place that houses people looking for a place to call home. Through this structure, Aïnouz explores the concepts of freedom, mobility, and stagnation.

The film’s leading figure, Ibrahim Al Hussein, is a Syrian refugee. He fled his war-torn homeland leaving behind not only his house but also a significant part of his identity. As he starts his new life in Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport, he is juxtaposed against the grandeur and vast emptiness of the airport hangar. Ibrahim becomes a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of despair, as he negotiates his journey within the labyrinth of an uncertain future, maintaining hope in the face of bureaucratic oblivion.

Qutaiba Nafez, another protagonist in the film, a refugee from Iraq, has a dream of becoming a doctor after serving as a nurse during the war. His journey also leads him to the airport, where he clings on to his vision of a better future while facing haunting memories of his past. His story is an evocative portrayal of determination continually tested by circumstance.

The third protagonist, Maria Alahmad, is no less powerful in her narrative. As a bi-sexual Syrian mother fleeing an oppressive regime and fighting for the safety and future of her child, she epitomizes maternal strength. Her struggles are a striking metaphor for hope amidst despair as she navigates her path.

Central Airport THF weaves a tapestry of these individual stories against the backdrop of the Templehof Airport. Each character’s narrative is delicately carved and magnificently represented, capturing struggle, dreaming, and hoping against the odds.

Aïnouz keeps the mood somber yet balanced with optimistic streaks as he consciously places his camera at a respectful and empathetic distance. He focuses on the personal narratives of individuals rather than the political discourse surrounding refugees. Aïnouz tries to redefine the population as individuals rather than as a collective group, subtly challenging the audience’s preconceived notions.

Central Airport THF also captivates audiences not only for its story but also for its exceptional cinematography. It captures the haunting emptiness of the spacious airport with loud, echoing footsteps and the lingering silence that amplifies each refugee's solitude. With a dynamic amalgamation of diverse perspectives, it covers the spectrum of human emotions with an elegance that touches hearts and leaves an indelible imprint.

The film does not only show the difficulties but also the small wins refugees have every day. This picture is painted through the mundane activities and mocking humor, the tender moments of friendship and love, and the sense of community that is built within the walls of the airport. These rays of happiness break through, accentuating the resilience of the spirit in adverse circumstances.

Central Airport THF urges the global audience to look beyond stereotyping and prejudice and appreciate the individual lived experiences of refugees. It places three individuals under its lens bringing everyday ordeals, dreams, laughter, and hope to the fore.

Through Central Airport THF, Aïnouz has made a contemporary statement on the refugee crisis and humanity. With a degree of unparalleled sensitivity, the film displays life in a refugee camp movingly and without melodrama. It brings out a sense of longing for identity amidst displacement.

Central Airport THF will make you see a part of the world in anti-glamorous detail, leaving you with a human story about survival, hope, and dreams. It asks you to look beyond the headlines and understand the human face of the refugee crisis.