Humans are always searching for ways to simplify tough and complex issues. Partly because it makes it easier to understand, but also because many won’t make the effort to take the time to actually look at all the details. Just take a look at the huge number of refugees entering Europe from various countries. It is something which has been made a “theme” or an “issue” which allows everyone to say something about it. By grouping it, it becomes just one thing, running the risks of forgetting the details. Each refugee has his or her own story and was forced to make a tough decision to leave the place they grew up in and who are about to face an uncertain future. Sometimes not only for them, but for their family as well. The documentary Stranger in Paradise takes a look at a number of individuals who have come to Sicily and take part in a class, with the teacher played by Valentijn Dhaenens.
The fact that we are looking at an actor makes this a slightly surreal documentary which takes place on the border of recording events and fiction. But because of that this is a film which paints a clear picture about refugees. Dhaenens each time welcomes groups of about 15 people and rants why Europe can’t house every refugee, why they should return to their own country to rebuild it like his father did after the second world war, but also about how Europe in the past took all the wealth from their colonies. Because of that various sides of the issue are talked about. The character he plays is sometimes very confronting, sometimes warm, but always with a feeling of realism and a sense of superiority. Stranger in Paradise succeeds in turning refugees into individuals and makes you think. It confronts you with reality and shows that this isn’t an easy “theme”.
