Hara Hotel: A Tale of Syrian Refugees in Greece

Hara Hotel is a documentary film that follows the lives of refugees in a makeshift camp on the forecourt of a petrol station in northern Greece. In the first two months of 2016, over 100,000 refugees arrived in Greece, half of them fleeing war-torn Syria. The film interweaves memoir with the stories of Juwan, a young Syrian Kurd, and the recent history of the failed revolution in Syria and the civil war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 10 April 2018
Publisher: Verso Books

In the first two months of 2016, over 100,000 refugees arrived in Greece, with half of them fleeing the war-torn Syria in search of safety in Europe. As the number of refugees seeking asylum increased, many found themselves stranded in temporary camps, relying on the support of volunteers. Hara Hotel offers a glimpse into the lives of these individuals.

Teresa Thornhill, a volunteer, arrived in Greece in April 2016. During her time there, she met Juwan, a young Syrian Kurd who had left his home and family in November 2011 to evade being drafted into the military by the Assad regime. Hara Hotel intertwines Thornhill's memoir with Juwan's story, as well as the recent history of the failed revolution in Syria and the devastating civil war that followed. Through this lens, the film paints a vivid picture of the lives of those caught in the midst of the conflict, trapped between civil war and the borders of Europe.

The makeshift refugee camp on the forecourt of a petrol station in northern Greece serves as the backdrop for Hara Hotel and provides a glimpse into the daily struggles of the refugees living there. The film depicts the harsh conditions, limited resources, and the constant fear of violence and persecution. Juwan, for example, shares his experiences of fleeing his home, enduring the perilous journey to Europe, and the challenges he faces in finding a safe haven.

Hara Hotel also sheds light on the broader political and social context of the refugee crisis. The film explores the role of European governments, international organizations, and volunteers in responding to the crisis and provides a critical analysis of the policies and practices that have contributed to the displacement and suffering of millions of people.

The film's portrayal of the refugees is nuanced and humanizing. Juwan, for instance, is not just a victim of the war but a resilient and determined individual who is fighting for his survival and the future of his family. Thornhill, as a volunteer, also plays a significant role in the lives of the refugees, providing them with emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of hope.

Hara Hotel is a powerful and emotional film that raises awareness about the refugee crisis and the urgent need for global solidarity. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of compassion and empathy in addressing such humanitarian crises. The film's message is universal and resonates with people from all walks of life, urging us to come together and work towards a world where refugees can find safety, dignity, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 147 x 213 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786635198