Dreamers (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[woman] Somewhere on the

other side of this wide night

and the distance between us,

I am thinking of you.

The room is slowly turning away

from the moon.

This is pleasurable.

[exhales]

Or shall I cross that out

and say... it is sad?

In one of the tenses,

I am singing...

an impossible song of desire

that you cannot hear.

[distant echoing shouts]

-[door slams]

-[women chatter in the distance]

[warden]

Any valuables in here, please.

[bag rustles]

Thank you.

Take these and follow me.

[woman] I need something.

Are you deaf? Are you deaf?

[warden] You'll stay here

while the Home Office

decides your case.

If denied, you'll have

three chances to appeal.

When denied for the third time,

you'll be sent back

to your home country.

If you choose not to appeal,

you'll be sent back.

Any questions?

Credit for your phone,

minimum 5.

By law, you earn 79p a day

in here.

It's a bit useless,

if you ask me.

You'll have internet access,

but not to social media.

Your room and roommate. Farah.

Isio. Out, you two, come on.

Let her settle in.

If you've got a problem

with anyone or anything,

you let me know, all right?

We're here to help.

[clears throat]

[loud chatter continues

in the distance]

She's not here to help.

Don't let her niceness fool you.

Helping is how

they gather information.

The first couple of nights

are the hardest,

then you get used to it.

And if you don't...

nowhere else for you to go.

Mm-mm. I'm getting out of here.

Of course you will.

They either send you back,

or let you stay in the country.

I'm just trying to help you

understand how it works.

[door closes]

[sniffles]

[muffled shouting]

[woman] Turn off the light!

[sighs]

[shouting continues]

[loud chatter]

Hey, my dear, are you a man

or a woman? Pick one!

-[laughter]

-[woman] It's a he-she!

[woman 2] They just let anybody

inside here.

[loud chatter continues]

[women chatter in the distance]

[door opens]

[police siren in the distance]

[door opens]

Is this what it's going

to be like with you?

You're just going to lay there

and wait for what?

Life to happen to you?

You don't know me

or my situation.

[laughs]

Let me tell you something.

Your situation, my situation,

it doesn't matter.

What matters is us getting out.

-[woman shouting]

-[banging]

-What is that?

-Someone is being deported.

[shouting]

[woman screams] Please!

[woman wails]

[gasps]

[indistinct chatter]

[woman laughs]

[hisses] Move!

You are in our space.

Oh, sorry. I didn't know.

Wait.

You get money?

You don't understand English?

[chuckles]

I do.

Later, you'll buy me

some things.

-I don't think it's that much...

-Hmm?

But I'll buy it for you.

-OK.

-Oya, go.

-[gasps]

-[laughter]

Senseless, you got no sense?

[warden] All right, girls.

Come on.

[chatter continues]

[laughter]

[door closes]

Their thing is to bully

the newbies.

The three unwise women,

Afia's g*ng.

Don't let those women

get to you.

In here, you have to be tough.

I don't want any problems.

And I have my caseworker

interview coming up soon, so...

Then you should apply

for asylum.

Tell the Home Office

your real story.

I thought you said

I shouldn't trust them.

No.

I said the guards

are not helpful.

But I'm glad to know

you're listening to me.

[man] I'm David,

and I'm the caseworker

that will be deciding

on your status.

You've been exposed

as working illegally in the UK

and you've applied for asylum.

This interview will determine

if we grant you asylum.

As of today, I haven't received

a copy of your file

or your passport.

If you're denied asylum

at this stage,

you can appeal

in front of a judge.

I request that you answer

all questions verbally.

Why are you claiming asylum?

Um...

I'm a l*sbian

and my mother found out.

Why can't you be g*y in Nigeria?

It's ill*gal.

[pen scribbling]

[David]

Have you ever kissed a man

or had sexual intercourse

with one?

Yes.

How can I be sure

that you're g*y?

Uh...

[Isio] No... No, no... [groans]

-[Farah] Isio.

-[gasps]

Are you OK?

-I'm fine.

-Are you sure?

Yes.

[indistinct chatter]

[distant banging]

[groans softly]

-How are you feeling?

-I'm fine.

Thanks for asking.

You missed breakfast.

I snuck something out for you.

Thank you.

[indistinct chatter]

[guard slaps woman's buttocks]

You all right?

-[clicks fingers]

-You see something?

No.

Kwasia (Fool).

-What's wrong?

-This place.

If I go left, it's wrong.

If I go right, it's wrong.

You just need to learn

how it works.

And how do I do that?

Nana doesn't like me.

Afia and her friends bully me,

and you, you...

Maybe come with me to art class

tomorrow. It might help you.

Help me do what?

Express your emotions.

And let go to let in.

-Mm-hmm.

-Just try it.

It's not like you have

somewhere else to be.

[teacher]

Beautiful as ever, Farah.

Thank you, Lisa.

Your brushstroke has...

it's really improved.

I remember what you said

last week

about how I should

hold the brush.

Very good.

-Oh, this is nice.

-Thank you.

Is this somewhere

in your home country?

Wetin? It's London Bridge.

Oh, ah. Ah, yes.

It's very nice.

All that woman sees us as

is poor, hopeless immigrants.

She just wants to help.

Abeg. I'm nobody's

pathway to heaven.

I have a degree

in political science.

-What did you study?

-Philosophy.

-[laughs]

-Ah. What's so funny?

Please! Philosophy.

What is that? Which job

can you get with that one?

Ah, so you are one

of those Nigerians

who doesn't see any value

in understanding human nature.

Can you change person?

So why are you learning

about them?

And the political science

that you studied?

At least with that one,

I can organise government.

[clicks tongue]

This your Karl Marx and Spencer.

The poor man would be

rolling in his grave.

Then let him roll.

-Over and over and over again!

-[laughs]

[they laugh]

Isio. Nana, Atefeh.

-Nice to properly meet you.

-[Nana kisses her teeth]

[chuckles]

Nana doesn't like people.

I can talk for myself.

You have to learn to be friends.

Ate.

I told Isio you could try and

get her a job in the cafeteria.

Give her something to do.

Sure.

-I will try.

-Thank you.

[laughs]

You all right, girls?

Ah, no, no. Put it there.

[chatter on warden's radio]

Why doesn't Nana like me?

Nana?

It's not that

she doesn't like you.

She doesn't know you.

That's it.

In here, people,

they come, they go, it's...

it's not easy to know anyone.

Where are you from?

Nigeria.

-Hmm.

-You?

Iraq.

You have family back home?

Me, I have a son.

He's six years old.

His name is Mustafa.

Look.

I have a picture.

Habibi.

[Isio] Oh...

[chuckles] He's beautiful.

-Hmm.

-Where is he?

Germany.

The authorities, they took him.

And alhamdulillah,

I have family there.

They make sure he's OK.

When I leave here,

I will get him.

You sound so confident

about leaving.

I have to.

I have no choice.

Morning, ladies.

Is that how you fold?

What's wrong

with how I'm folding?

Ah.

You'd make a terrible housewife.

[laughs]

Who told you I wanted

to be a housewife?

Me, I want to be a CEO.

CEO of what?

People who can't fold?

Then you fold for me.

Anything else, madam?

And I'd make

an excellent housewife.

[Farah] Hmm.

My food

is very, very tantalising.

I guess I have to find out.

[they laugh]

[Isio] How does it happen

that our lives can drift

far from ourselves...

while we stay trapped in time

queuing for death?

It doesn't matter why

we're here, just how we leave.

[Isio] It seems nothing will

shift the patter for our days,

alter the rhyme we make with

loss to assonance with bliss.

-[women argue]

-[guard] All right!

Calm down, ladies. Calm down.

This is for you.

-Read it.

-Why?

It's your decision letter.

-Are you crazy?

-Get off!

-This is your life.

-Yes. My life!

[Farah] Isio, we can fight this.

The first thing we need to do...

-It's not your problem!

-[gasps]

[women chatter]

[chatter continues]

[Afia hisses]

Follow me to the shop.

I need something.

Are you deaf?

[warden] Stop! Stop! Stop it!

I don't get paid enough

for this!

[door locks]

[Farah] How are you feeling?

[Isio] I feel like I...

like I'm losing myself

in this place.

I know they're going

to send me back.

-[gasps]

-I know.

I know. I know

they're gonna send me back...

-Look at me.

-I can't. I can't.

-Look at me.

-Farah, I can't.

-I can't go back.

-Just try to breathe.

Breathe. In.

-And out.

-[exhales]

That's good.

In.

And out.

Just breathe.

Keep your eyes on me

and just breathe.

-[moans]

-That's good.

-[moans]

-That's good.

[moans]

[moans softly]

You just need to understand

this place a bit better.

Can I show you something?

What do you see?

[Isio] Guards... Women...

Look closer at Afia's g*ng.

[woman] Yes.

[Farah]

We do what we can to survive.

And we look out for each other.

I'll help you appeal.

There are some rules

you need to follow.

First, you need

to keep your head down

and mind your business,

and let the guards think

that we have no power.

All the guards wear

the same uniform

that subconsciously

makes us believe

that they are stronger than us.

But they can't watch everyone.

Look around you.

There are more of us than them.

[Farah]

When did you enter the country?

-Isio.

-Hmm?

When did you enter the country?

How many times

have you done this?

[Farah] Enough.

I'm on my last appeal.

I'm running out of time.

What will you do if they say no?

Run away.

You know...

Don't expect to win.

Keep fighting.

[Farah] Isio...

-Isio...

-[gasps]

What were you dreaming about?

I'm here, if you need me.

No.

I keep having the same dream.

Again and again and again.

When I first came here...

I kept dreaming about my father.

Sometimes,

I would see him in my old house.

What happened to him?

He was looking into Boko Haram.

And one day,

he did not come home.

They had taken him.

Then they came for my family.

But I wasn't at home.

I knew...

they would come for me

if I didn't get out.

How could they ever think

of sending you back?

They say just move to

a different part of the country

where they can't find you.

[laughs]

I have taken my destiny

into my own hands.

Whatever you are scared of...

it doesn't have to own you.

-You make it sound so simple.

-Sometimes it is that simple.

Freedom begins in the mind.

I'm sorry, I...

I thought...

[clears throat]

[groans softly]

So... you and Farah?

-Hmm?

-Hmm?

I see how

you look at each other.

I think it's beautiful.

-It's not that simple.

-Hmm. Why not?

I need to get out of here,

not fall in love.

-Why can't you have both?

-[scoffs]

Look at the way you're smiling.

Listen.

Of course we have to think

about the future, and have hope.

But we could be deported

at any moment.

Look at us.

We've already lost

so much in life.

How much more

do you want to lose

before you realise

you deserve to be happy?

[sprays table]

[indistinct chatter]

Farah, I wanted to, um...

I wasn't expecting this.

Me neither.

Will... Will you...

Uh, you know, um... [laughs]

Can we take it slow?

-[indistinct chatter]

-[board game pieces moving]

[Farah groans]

-[dice rattle on table]

-What?

If there was another way

out of here, would you take it?

If it meant going back

to the life I was living,

then no.

I've lost too much

of myself already.

There's only one way

to get out of here.

-MMA fighter, Isio.

-[laughs]

Wallahi, Nana, the only way

you know how to fight

is with your mouth.

[Nana]

Abeg, let's go to art class.

Do you guys really find

that art class helpful?

I find it can be helpful.

-You should come.

-I'm OK.

-How was your art teacher?

-She was nice.

-She asked about you.

-Asked about me, eh?

Are you sure

not about your brush strokes?

[laughs] You need to stop

with this your jealousy.

Who is jealous

of the two of you?

[laughs]

[laughs]

What is it?

My appeal date.

You'll be fine.

Just tell the judge the truth.

[Isio] I got my first job

right after I graduated.

It was in a bank.

Nothing special.

But my mother was so proud.

It was there that I met Abiye.

We flirted.

At first,

it was just playful joking.

We used to call each other

"wife".

One day...

she kissed me.

This was... It was then

that I knew that I liked women.

I had kissed men before,

but nothing felt like this.

With men, it felt...

obligatory.

One weekend, my mother was away,

so I called Abiye to come over.

This was my first time

sleeping with a woman.

It felt... natural.

Nothing wrong with this.

My...

My neighbour...

called my mother...

who came home...

with two men from the church.

They dragged Abiye

out of the room and...

locked me inside.

I...

I was locked in that room for...

for three days

while four different men...

r*ped me.

My mother said

I just needed a man,

that it would fix me.

I managed to escape and I ran.

I just ran.

I took all the money I saved up

and I bought my way here.

I can't go back.

I can't. I can't.

How did it go?

I don't know.

We planned something

that will cheer you up.

Who's "we"?

[Atefeh and Nana chatter]

[Atefeh] I think in my country,

we do it better.

[Nana] What do you mean,

in your country?

-[Atefeh laughs]

-Are you guys...

Actually, this was Nana's idea.

The first appeal

is always the hardest.

Besides, I wanted some

Ghanaian jollof and chicken.

-Thank you, Nana.

-Mm.

I just want you to know,

Nigerian jollof is the best.

Chale! You Nigerians

shouldn't come and start.

Atefeh, today you're a Ghanaian,

so you better support me.

-I always support you.

-Hm!

[they laugh]

[laughter and chatter]

[gentle piano music

plays over dialogue]

[laughter]

-Nana's j-rice, it was OK.

-[Farah laughs]

Thank you.

[Farah] It wasn't just me.

I know.

Are you sure?

[Isio moans softly]

[Isio] Are we being naive?

What if this is all we can be?

If they send us back.

What if that didn't happen?

If we had a chance of life

on the outside?

[warden] Morning, girls.

I need to tell you something.

What's going on?

You didn't tell her?

I thought

we could do it together.

-Tell me what?

-We're escaping.

[laughs]

Yalla, Nana.

I...

I want you to come with us.

Say something.

This way we can be together.

You were just saying

about us getting out.

I meant legally!

I know people

who can help us on the outside.

Passports. We can get real jobs.

Isio.

What about us?

I could get my appeal.

[clicks teeth] Hm.

[door closes]

[indistinct chatter]

[singing and clapping]

[woman] Come on, join in!

Chale.

You really love this library,

sha.

You know,

I've never been here before.

This thing with Farah, you need

to figure it out. Listen.

You're a nice person.

Unfortunately, naive at times.

But I can forgive that.

But the issue with nice people

is that you never do

what's right for you.

Stop avoiding your feelings

and listen to your heart.

-I thought you didn't like me.

-I don't.

I'm just tired of seeing

Farah sad.

[door closes]

[clears throat]

Can we talk?

I...

I don't want us to end.

Me or you could be taken

at any moment.

I still have to go through

my appeal process.

I have to try and do things

the right way.

But... I want you.

Even though

it doesn't make sense.

I want you.

[indistinct chatter]

Chale. You're loving her again?

[laughs]

[Atefeh] Just listen to us.

I read a book about

a man in Australia

who escaped by pretending

to be a translator.

And the guards, they helped him.

As soon as we have James' card,

we can get out.

And you just want to walk out

of the front door?

Why are you here

if you're not coming with us?

There are still some things

to sort out

which I think Isio

can help us with.

We need to know who else

is working that night.

We're already working on Lisa,

see if she can help us.

That is why you're always

going to that useless art class.

Why would she would help?

She's always talking about

burning the system down.

How it doesn't work.

It's her chance to prove that.

And Farah is her favourite,

so she will convince her

to hide us in her car.

And then, we get out of here.

[Isio]

Let's say you're successful

and you do get out of here,

what's the first thing

you'll do?

Hmm.

When we are both out...

[chuckles]

I will take you

on a proper date.

Hmm!

But what if it is I

that wants to take you out?

Hmm.

Where?

Well...

first, it would

have to be daytime,

so that I can see

your beautiful face.

[they laugh]

Oh! I know this nice Vietnamese

restaurant in Deptford.

They also do karaoke.

-I like karaoke.

-[chuckles] Same.

[chuckles]

Then... I will make you

something very special.

At home.

[laughter]

What will our home be like?

[Isio] No white walls.

I hate white walls.

We will make it ours.

And we wouldn't

have to hide our love.

Farah.

Today is my birthday.

-What?

-[chuckles]

We could have done something.

No, I don't wanna make

a fuss about it.

-Happy birthday.

-Thank you.

-Happy birthday to you!

-[laughter]

You have a letter.

-[door closes]

-It's OK.

Open it.

I can't do this anymore.

Don't give up.

It's what they want.

You'll have another chance

to appeal.

You did what you

thought was right.

Nana.

-You're being sentimental?

-Shut up.

I'm surprised you haven't said,

"I told you so."

Why would we?

We've all been

where you are now.

You'll get through it.

Isio. Wait.

I don't know if I'll have

the strength to appeal again.

-So come with us.

-Where?

-We can try again.

-Where will I...

Farah. They've denied

your final appeal.

You're being deported

immediately, I'm afraid.

-What? Denied?

-Please. Please.

I don't wanna

have to forcibly remove you,

so please cooperate with me,

yeah?

-No, James...

-Isio, step out of my way.

Don't touch me.

Step out, Isio, please.

[overlapping voices]

-[screams]

-Stop struggling!

-Stop.

-[yells]

Hey, hey, hey!

Stay down! [screams]

[Farah] Isio!

[yelling]

Right, stop it now.

[muffled voices]

[sobs]

[door opens]

[birds sing]

Next time, get your own food.

Do something

instead of lying around

feeling sorry for yourself.

[warden] You all right, love?

Just checking in on you.

Anything we can do for you?

I'm OK.

Isio, habibti, you need to move.

I heard the guards talking about

putting you on suicide watch.

Is this another letter?

I'm sure Farah is trying

to find a way back to you.

In the meantime...

you still have a choice.

Use it.

How else

will you find each other?

[door closes]

[women chatter]

Hey.

I see you've emerged

from your cave. Smile.

Fine, girl.

How do you feel?

Better.

You know, we thought we were

going to have to drag you out.

Uh, excuse me, no, no.

Not "we", you.

Me, I understand

that grieving takes time.

Which kind grieving?

-Chale, did Farah die?

-[scoffs]

Is it just not to get out

of here and find her?

Uh.

[Atefeh] Anyway...

-We missed you.

-Mm-mm. She missed you.

-Oh-h*, Nana missed you.

-[Nana] Don't touch me!

[woman laughs]

[Farah laughs]

[Farah] When we are both out,

I'll take you on a proper date.

If there was another way

out of here, would you take it?

Whatever you are scared of,

it does not have to own you.

Freedom begins in the mind.

This is your room

and roommate, Isio.

Nisma. Keep to yourself.

Don't cause no trouble.

And if you've got a problem

with anyone or anything,

let me know.

We're here to help.

She's not here to help,

by the way.

Helping is how

they gather information.

The first two days

are the hardest.

It's OK.

You'll get used to it.

I didn't think

I would end up here.

Who does?

Hm.

Can I ask you something?

Just ask.

Why are you sleeping with James?

I thought he could help.

He said he could ensure

my stay in the country.

By the time I realised

he couldn't...

he pressured me.

If I didn't give him

what he wanted,

he would make sure I got

sent home for seducing a guard.

I don't know if it's true,

but...

I don't want to find out.

I know you want to play

by the rules

and wait for your final appeal.

But what will you do

if you don't succeed?

-Oh! Sorry.

-That's all right, love.

[Atefeh and Nana chatter]

I can get us out.

Come.

-What do you mean?

-[women chatter outside]

Listen. I sat in that room

and watched as a new girl

came in and took Farah's place.

And all I could think of

was how naive I was

when they first brought me here.

-You're not the only one.

-[Isio] No.

But I should have listened

to the both of you before.

I need to know that Farah is OK.

OK.

What do you have in mind?

So...

it might sound a little crazy,

but let me land.

We need the electrician

to be called out...

[whispers] Go to the door. Go.

So that we can get

his wire-cutters.

[electrician] Cheers.

-When he gets here...

-This place is falling apart.

-I will distract him.

-If it's not the light,

it's something else. Honestly.

-Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry!

-Are you OK?

It will give you a chance

to hide them.

-[Isio] Oh, thank you.

-That's all right.

Atefeh, help her.

We need to move the camera

to create a blind spot

in the garden.

We will use Afia's g*ng and

their dealings as our cloak.

At some point,

they will create a diversion

to distract the guards.

As soon as the diversion begins,

we start cutting the fence.

I'm not sure about this plan.

Cutting wires, cameras...

And you thought the other plan

was any better?

[laughs] You really thought Lisa

was just going to walk

all of us out of here?

This fence, it's not easy

to cut. The wires are thick.

[Isio] I know.

It will take us some time,

but...

what do we have to lose? Hm?

-I'm willing to try it.

-Yes, Nana.

No.

Think about Mustafa.

[sighs]

OK.

I will try.

[indistinct chatter]

[Isio] Making sure

we move the cameras...

and the guards don't see us...

we cut what we can each day.

[grunts]

[warden] Break it up, girls.

[women chatter]

Isio, stop.

[Nana] Even if you escape

and look for Farah,

when you get deported,

it's hard in your home country.

Some people end up in prison.

Some destitute.

Some die.

I know.

But Farah is different.

I feel it's taking too long.

Maybe they will catch us.

Don't worry, guys.

-We just have to finish...

-[door opens]

Come, let's go.

-Why doesn't Nana like me?

-Nana doesn't like anybody.

Isio's jollof is better.

-I thought you were my friend.

-Mm-mm.

To Farah. I will find you.

Farah.

Mmm.

[Lisa] That's great.

I'm learning to let go

to let in.

[sobs]

What do I do now?

You fight.

I don't know if I can.

I can't. I can't.

You can.

Whatever happens, you

cannot lose yourself in here.

Have you guys packed?

It needs to be light.

Why are you directing that

at me? I like to look good.

We don't have time to look good.

We need to be quick.

Don't worry, I've packed,

light... ish.

-Who will make the diversion?

-Leave that to me.

Are you sure?

I just need to make a few people

think their things were stolen.

[women chatter]

[woman] Grace? Grace?

How dare you steal from me?

[Grace] What are you talking

about? Get out of my face!

[women yelling]

[chatter over warden's radio]

Yalla, let's go.

Isio, come on. Hurry!

-Come on, pull!

-OK.

Quick!

[Isio grunts] I can pull it.

[all straining]

Pull. Pull. Pull.

-[Atefeh] Go, Nana.

-[Isio] Don't look back. Go. Go.

[Isio straining]

[warden] Oi!

Where do you think you're going?

Come here! Come here!

-Come 'ere.

-[Isio screams]

Get 'ere. Come on.

Come here.

No!

[Isio] Somewhere on the

other side of this wild night,

and the distance between us,

I'm thinking of you.

The room is slowly turning

away from the moon.

This is pleasurable.

Or shall I cross that out

and say...

it is sad?

In one of the tenses

I am singing...

an impossible song

with desire you cannot hear.

La-la-la

See?

I close my eyes

and imagine the dark hills

I would have to cross

to reach you.

For I am in love with you.

[drumming]