IMPACT hosted a special screening of The Jungle of Calais, a short documentary about the ICTU Global Solidarity Committee’s trip to the so-called ‘Jungle’ refugee camp in Calais last September.

In an article published in IMPACT’s Work & Life magazine, SIPTU’s Yvonne O’Callaghan, who led the ICTU delegation, explains that the committee encountered “stories of torture and brutalisation, illness and injury and determination and resilience,” while making the film. 

In his remarks after the screening, lawyer-activist Brian Condra said that in Calais he had “sat with people who had lost everything” and that they had “smiled at him” regardless. He said we should not “turn our backs on them.” Solicitor Gary Daly also referred to the strange simultaneous existence of hope and despair that he encountered in the camp.

The committee saw the very worst of life and death in the camp. They recalled the story of 14-year-old Rahim, who was killed in a hit and run incident not investigated by French police. They also saw the best. For example, a couple who had chosen to spend their honeymoon volunteering at the camp.

The film was made by Paddy Cole and Graham Seely. It was sponsored by IMPACT and SIPTU Health. IMPACT organiser Joan McCrohan, who is vice chair of ICTU’s Global Solidarity Committee, was instrumental in having the film produced.

Watch a short promo for the film here