Evros-Meriç: The Other Side

Overview

An estimated of 35 million people in the world today has been forced to run for their lives, and is either temporarily or permanently exiled from their homes. Half of them are women and children.

Many are fleeing persecution, armed conflict, murder, rape, and mutilation. Their way of reaching a secure territory is through the hands of human smugglers. "Evros-Meriç: The Other Side" focuses on the refugee problem from a different angle. This film investigates and unveils this worldwide money making business after the narcotics, guns and human trafficking, "human smuggling" functioning as small networks in different countries yet connected to each other.

Mustafa (smuggler): "We call them helmets, sometimes sheep. They rely on us because they come from Muslim countries. For example, they call me from Iran. They say they are sending me 10 helmets, here I prepare everything accordingly…"

Hasan (smuggler): "The most important material in this business is a boat. The best are the Russian boats. Mobile phones are also important but we all know where to meet. So if something happens to the phone is not important, but the boat has to be robust. "

Recep (smuggler): "When the weather begins warming up we start the business. It is very difficult and dangerous in the winter. In the summer we can hide between the cotton fields but in the winter we are wide open."

Hüseyin (smuggler): "In the past this business was a lot easier. We mostly smuggled political refugees. Now they made it more difficult.  They say they will build a wall! Nothing can stop us! As long as there is demand we will continue our business."