Skip to main content

Deep Dive: The Great Wall (2015)

Film Lens

The Great Wall
The Great Wall examines the construction of a wall at Europe's south-eastern frontier, drawing parallels to Kafka's 'At the Building of the Great Wall of China'. The film presents this wall as diverse in form and piecemeal, reflecting a continent that is increasingly adopting systems of enclosure and exclusion. It critiques the narratives of freedom that accompany this construction, encouraging viewers to consider the implications of such barriers in modern Europe. Through the lens of the refugee crisis and migration, the documentary questions the acceptance of these walls by citizens. It prompts reflection on how these structures shape societal attitudes towards borders and the movement of people, revealing a complex relationship between security and freedom in contemporary European discourse.

Why Watch

  • See how Kafka's ideas relate to modern Europe.
  • Find out about Europe's militarized borders.
  • Meet the voices behind the refugee crisis.

Did You Know

The film references Kafka's short story from 1917.
The documentary has a runtime of 75 minutes.
It discusses the European Union's approach to the refugee crisis.

Perfect For

European border politicsFranz Kafka enthusiastsRefugee crisis discussions