UNIQLO TODAY

UNIQLO TODAY

Filming Displacement　~ The Power of Clothing No.28 ~

Jun 13, 2025 NEWS
Four great films screened at the Refugee Film Festival, which UNIQLO is a long-standing supporter, organised by Japan for UNHCR.
Over 120 million people have lost their homes due to violent conflict or oppression. In terms of the world population, one in every 67 people is a refugee. Since the advent of the Syrian War in 2011, the number of refugees has quickly tripled. The following four refugee films, all released since the onset of that conflict, have been influential in much the same way as The Other Side of Hope, which was shown at the 12th Refugee Film Festival in 2017.

Last Men in Aleppo is a documentary about the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue brigade dedicated to saving people buried under rubble by the constant airstrikes on Aleppo. But these men have families, too. The onrush of perilous scenarios and life-threatening situations will leave you breathless.

The Power of Clothing No.28

Last Men in Aleppo (2017) Director: Feras Fayyad, Co-director: Steen Johannessen / Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards. Won the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Recipient of 23 other film awards worldwide. Distributed by UNITED PEOPLE / ©Larm Film


Filmed as ever-greater numbers of people from Syria, Afghanistan, and Africa journeyed to Europe via land and sea in search of peace, the documentary Midnight Traveler offers a refugee’s perspective on the 5,600 km road from Afghanistan, filmed from a point of view you won’t see on the news.

The Power of Clothing No.28

Midnight Traveler (2019) Director: Hassan Fazili / Received Second Place Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, along with two special mentions. Received a Grand Jury Award Special Mention at Sheffield DocFest. Won the Special Jury Award for No Borders at the Sundance Film Festival. Awarded 23 other film awards. Distributed by UNITED PEOPLE / ©2019 OLD CHILLY PICTURES LLC.


Made in a nation that has received large numbers of refugees, Welcome to Germany is about a wealthy family who opens up their home to a young man from Nigeria as their household teeters on collapse, comically depicting the everyday side of hosting refugees. This feature film was a resounding domestic success.

The Power of Clothing No.28

Welcome to Germany (2016) Director: Simon Verhoeven / Highest-grossing German film of 2016, drawing 4 million viewers to theaters. Awards include the Most Successful Film at the 2017 Lola German Film Awards, as well as the Best Production Award and Audience Award at the Bavarian Film Awards. Available on DVD and Prime Video. Distributed by cetera INTERNATIONAL / © 2016 Wiedemann & Berg Film GmbH & Co. KG / Sentana Filmproduktion GmbH / SevenPictures Film GmbH


There are movies set in Japan as well. Centering on a Kurdish high-school girl whose family took refuge in Japan when she was little, My Small Land touches on the bruising asylum process through its portrayal of a family that feels like they could be living right next door.

There are also movies set in Japan. Centering on a Kurdish high school girl whose family took refuge in Japan when she was young, Midnight Traveler explores the bruising asylum process through its portrayal of a family that feels like they could be living right next door.

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My Small Land (2022)　Director: Ema Kawawada / Won Silver Medal for Best Director at the 2022 Kaneto Shindo Awards, Best New Actress at the 45th Fumiko Yamaji Awards, Best Supporting Actress at the 47th Hochi Film Awards, and the Amnesty International Film Award Special Mention at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. Available on DVD and Prime Video. ©2022 “My Small Land” Production Committee



Reflections on the Refugee Film Festival / Japan for UNHCR


The Power of Clothing No.28
Over 120 million people have lost their homes due to violent conflict or oppression—a harrowing number nearing the population of Japan and one that is rising at this very moment. Behind this staggering figure are real people just like you and me who care for their families and dream of happier times. Waking up one day to find yourself a “refugee” doesn’t negate the rich uniqueness of a human life.

We believe that films can raise support throughout Japan. That’s part of why the Refugee Film Festival was started in 2006. Through a hybrid program that combines online and in-person screenings, these cinematic gems convey the strength of those who persevere against adversity, inspiring a sense of hope and resilience so that refugees can leave behind that word and be themselves.

November 2025 marks the 20th year of the Refugee Film Festival. Please visit our website this fall for details.
https://www.japanforunhcr.org/how-to-help/rff/en



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