A young Russian woman arrives in Britain with her ten-year-old son. She mistakenly applies for political asylum and thus begins a desperate struggle for survival. Pawlikowski's graceful, economic style augments the perfect performances of Korzun and Considine. At last, a British film that has something powerfully pertinent to say about contemporary Britain.

Edinburgh Film Festival 2000, Winner Best New British Feature
BAFTA 2000 Winner Most Promising Newcomer

"This is the best class of poetic realism, the kind you can believe in without a trace of hesitation. " - Kenneth Turran , Los Angeles Times

"You walk out of the theater curiously touched.." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times Inc