FILMING
THREE STORIES
Nicola Roper, June 2024
The term ‘refugee’ is often used as a broad label in the media, and this film gives a platform to three individuals to share their experiences, in their own words, challenging the one-dimensional portrayals that often dominate public perception.
The refugee journey is one of immense struggle, and as global instability grows, such journeys are likely to become more common. As a society, we should learn from their hardships, recognising that their experiences could one day be our own.
HOME
With over fifteen years dedicated to documenting the struggles of refugees worldwide, one constant truth has emerged: the voices of those deeply affected by social and political upheaval are often spoken about, but seldom spoken to.
In March 2024, as part of the Creative Futures programme at UAL, This Place Between Us was launched, a platform designed to amplify refugee voices. This initiative was founded to empower refugees to share their own stories, in their own words, directly with those who can enact meaningful change—educators, employers, and policymakers.
The goal of This Place Between Us is to foster a more inclusive, compassionate society by counteracting negative stereotypes and the harmful ‘othering’ of people. Believing deeply in the transformative power of storytelling to bridge divides and cultivate understanding. By presenting lived experiences to those in positions of influence, we can create a more empathetic and inclusive society. In collaboration with West London Welcome, we explored the critical work that community groups do to integrate refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants into society. Creating videos that offer insight into the daily challenges and triumphs of these individuals, highlighting the essential role of community support in their journey toward integration.
The photographs on display were taken at Cranford College in Hounslow, capturing a diverse community where many have personal experiences with the refugee journey. These images were taken as participants were filmed reflecting on the recent UK riots, providing a poignant commentary on the impact of social unrest on marginalised communities.
Additionally, the exhibition features photographs from Love Scripted, a stage performance written and performed by young people from DreamArts, an organisation that combines arts and therapy to support young people's wellbeing. This performance documents the challenges of arriving in a new country, capturing their struggles with identity, belonging, and the emotional toll of displacement.
The exhibition aimed to illuminate the complexities of the refugee experience and highlight the crucial role of storytelling in fostering understanding and change. By merging creativity with social impact, we can transform knowledge into action and use storytelling as a powerful tool for change.
WE REFUGEES
MISINFORMATION
Nicola Roper, June 2024
The recent UK riots in August 2024 were ignited by a tragic knife attack in Southport, followed by a surge of misinformation online falsely linking the attacker to immigration. This led to widespread unrest particularly fuelled by far-right groups, resulting in attacks on mosques and asylum seeker accommodations. The riots were a culmination of growing tensions around immigration and inadequate responses to rising extremism. In this final film, footage of the riots as portrayed on TikTok is accompanied by a soundtrack of snippets of a focus group discussion. The participants reflect on how media portrayals of them as individuals and as a community impact their lives in the UK.