"You Never Know You Too Might Become a Refugee" (2023) is set in 2043 and might be thought of as science fiction, but unfortunately it is already happening and is predicted to get worse. The film projects that in 2030 the United Nations declares a legal justification to be a refugee is climate change and all countries must accept them. Unfortunately some countries refuse and even make it a crime. England is one of them.
The Isle of Grain is used as a mythical starting point. Two adults and their daughter are being severely battered by the weather and are aware it will become increasingly more difficult to survive. They had applied to get to England, but were unsuccessful. They felt the situation was so desperate that they would have to take the illegal route.
They were able to get the necessary money, but that would just about wipe out their finances. Evading the police was an ongoing concern. Finding accommodation was difficult. The film focuses on an interview to avoid criminal prosecution. The interviewer suggests strongly they should have stayed where they were and have broken the law.
The situation is not really resolved as there is no happy solution. Some refugees die in the effort to reach safety.
The irony is that the wealthy industrial countries are most responsible for climate change, but citizens of poorer countries suffer the most. Donald Trump is already setting up America to close borders to climate change refugees. To start with they deny climate change exists while allowing some of their donating businesses to profit. They already put heavier emphasis to keep out immigrants.
This film offers a message the world desperately needs to understand, so I would like to credit some of the people for this particular effort.
Two people shared the organization of the effort.
Teo Ormond-Skeaping, the director, writer, cinematographer and editor started as photographer and has had many photo exhibits. He has become politically active and focuses on climate change and how it effects people. Taking part in many international climate change for climate change. He has 4 credits as a cinematographer, 2 as a producer, 2 as a director and 1 for editing.
Since 2012 Teo has collaborated with Lena Dobrowolska, a Ph.D. researcher. She was a director and writer for this film.
Richard Skelton composed the music. He has been a noted album producing musician. Richard has 12 credits for composing.
Dominic Farrow played the father. He has 3 acting credits.
Kaara Benstead played the mother. She has 6 acting credits, 1 for writing and 1 for directing.
Richie Campbell played the interviewer. He 62 acting credits, 1 for assistant directing and 1 for producing.
Nick Bartlett played a people smuggler. He has 87 acting credits including "Topsy Turvey" (1999), "London Boulevard" (2010) and "World War Z" (2013).
Mike Kelson played the head of a people smuggling group. He has 108 acting credits, 2 for writing and 1 for directing.
Jack Bense played a detention center officer. He has 47 acting credits including "Hereafter" (2010) and "Unforgotten" (2025).
Bitu Thomas played herself. She has been in films in English, Tamil and Hindi. Her 16 acting credits, 1 for directing and 1 for writing include "One Life" (2023).
This film is well done and has a powerful message. I watched it on a DVD borrowed from my local library and am not aware if it is available elsewhere.