This well balanced and nonjudgemental documentary captures a rare thing. Following a Syrian family precariously fleeing Turkey in 2015, the filmmakers follow 11 year-old Israa and her family over a period of 10 years.

This means we get to see not just the dangerous nighttime escape by boat to Greece, and the demoralising trek through Macedonia and Serbia to try and get to Germany, we also see what happens when the family are finally settled in Europe and can go about building a life for themselves. You can go beyond the trials and tribulations of displacement,and danger and show what it is like to be a refugee in a very culturally different country.

Father Tarek (I think) and Israa have a great relationship when she is prepubescent, but sadly and probably predictably, he is definitely challenged by the greater freedoms in Germany, particularly for women. His controlling nature that would have been just as difficult for the women in his life in Syria, now is thrown into harsh relief. His wife Nasreen all of a sudden has a voice and agency.

We watch Israa grow into a teenager, deal with prejudice at school, sneak around behind her father‘s back, and eventually choose a life for herself. That may not be what she as an 11 yo or the audience members expected but it is her choice.

Directors Itab Azzam and Jack Macinnes waiting 11 years to make the documentary means that we can see a refugee narrative arc that is not always possible when you are in the midst of turmoil. The regime in Syria fell and so there is possibility for people to return to their homeland. This creates an unlooked for choice for them all – where is home now? Might Syria become a warm nostalgic feeling or is it necessary to feel belonging?

Israa was a good choice of subject as she is sparky and confident in front of the camera and also comfortable with the choices she makes. It helps that each member of her family has a slightly different experience and path and Tarek’s journey seems particularly significant.