‘Arrival’ brings refugee stories of loss, hope and belonging to the screen

A short film inspired by the refugee experience is giving audiences a glimpse into the challenges of starting a new life in New Zealand, including separation from loved ones, adapting to a new culture and finding a sense of belonging.

Arrival, directed by Ahmed Osman, follows a mother and daughter through their first six weeks in New Zealand after arriving as refugees.

Parts of the film were shot at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre (MRRC) – Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa, where refugees arriving under New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Programme spend their first weeks in the country.

The film recently screened at the New Zealand International Film Festival and has also been selected for the Melbourne International Film Festival. It was shortlisted by the festival jury as one of 14 films from more than 130 submissions.

For Osman, the story has a personal connection. Born in Somalia and raised in New Zealand, he drew on his own experience of refugee resettlement when making the film.

At a screening in Auckland, Osman dedicated the film to his mother.

The production team worked closely with staff at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre to help ensure the story reflected the experiences of newly arrived refugees. The filmmakers formally acknowledged the support of the Centre and the wider Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

A glimpse into refugee resettlement

Every refugee arriving in New Zealand through the Refugee Quota Programme spends their first weeks at the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre.

The Centre provides accommodation, orientation, practical assistance and access to services to help refugees prepare for life in communities around the country.

While Arrival is fictional, staff at the Centre said many of the experiences shown in the film reflected what newly arrived families can go through.

Residential Team Leader Ko Parsons said attending the festival screening was particularly meaningful.

"We felt truly privileged to be invited to the New Zealand International Film Festival" she said.

"It was a fantastic short film, and we all loved the way the director captured Arrival from the perspective of our newly arrived families. It was incredibly moving, and many of us became quite emotional while watching it".

Parsons attended the screening with Qemajl Murati, Head of the Refugee Programme, and resident Abdulhakim, where they met Osman and members of the cast.

A personal connection for a refugee resident

Several residents of the Māngere centre were invited to attend the screening by the filmmakers, including Abdulhakim, a young Somali resident preparing to settle in New Zealand.

On the way to the cinema, Abdulhakim spoke about the life he had left behind and his hopes for his future in New Zealand.

He plans to settle in Christchurch and is a passionate football fan. He wore a Tottenham Hotspur jersey that had been gifted to him after he met members of the team during their recent visit to the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre.

But his strongest connection was with another part of his life — horses.

Abdulhakim had spent years working with horses before leaving his home country.

"I had my own horse at the club in Yemen" he told Qemajl Murati, Head of the Refugee Programme who accompanied him to the Film. "Her name was Faith".

As Arrival explored themes of separation, grief and leaving loved ones behind, the story appeared to resonate strongly with him.

A second film featuring a horse was screened afterwards, prompting Abdulhakim to reflect on the horse he had left behind.

"I was very sad. Both films were sad" he said.

"I was sad because I thought of my horse that I had to leave behind. She knew I was leaving her because she cried when she saw me the last time".

For the staff who accompanied him, the moment highlighted the personal stories of loss and sacrifice that can sit behind the refugee resettlement journey.

Showing the human side of resettlement

For many New Zealanders, the refugee resettlement process is largely unseen. The Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre is where people arriving under the Refugee Quota Programme begin preparing to rebuild their lives in New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand staff and partner organisations work with refugees during their time at the Centre, helping them prepare for their transition into communities across the country.

Arrival offers audiences a glimpse into that process through the experiences of a fictional mother and daughter.

The film focuses on the difficulties of starting again, while also highlighting resilience, connection and the hope of building a new future.

For staff at the Centre, seeing those experiences represented on screen made the screening particularly significant.

"It was a very special experience that we will all remember for a long time" Ko said.

Arrival will screen at Wellington's Roxy Cinema on August 13 and 16 as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival. Tickets are available through the New Zealand International Film Festival website.