This film chronicles the journey of an Afghani boy seeking sanctuary in Britain.  It is certainly topical, since in 2008 over 3,000 teenage Afghani boys were sent on the same journey to mainland Europe, double the number in 2007. Families are taking the risk of putting their children into the care of traffickers and sending them on a horrendous journey to allegedly safer havens for a decent life in Europe. Any parent in the developed world must realise how dire conditions are in Afghanistan for families there to be willing to say good-bye to their young people in these circumstances.  Boys are getting younger, because no one under the age of 18 can be turned away - even when their asylum claim has been dismissed.

The film demonstrates so well that one has to have both hope and sheer determination to undertake such a journey.  It documents the trials and tribulations of a son (Jamal) leaving his family; his friendship with Enayart and the comradeship gained through facing the challenges together; the need to be flexible and industrious when resources run out before arriving at the desired destination.

The Home Office interview was well portrayed.  There is an underlying assumption that such journeys are only undertaken for pull factors - the promise of a better life in the West. Decision-makers discount the deterrent effect of the journey and ignore the dangers of life at home which make parents willing to take such a risk for their sons.

There are a couple of points I would like to make from my own experience. It is fantasy to think a teenager can succeed in the West unless he comes with a decent level of education and the will to study.  I also felt that the film left viewers with the idea that asylum seekers have to be deceitful to overcome the challenges that they encounter. That is not necessarily true. In the end, honesty serves someone best since they will be questioned time and again on the story they have given. Never will I ever forget to be thankful for my own tough past-life because it has, and continues to, define my route in life.