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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Entertainment
Rachel Butler

Powerful new film featuring Black Panther star shines a light on Ireland's direct provision system

A new movie that tells the moving and emotive story of a Nigerian woman in direct provision, and has been gaining attention since its launch on November 17.

Aisha, which features Black Panther star and Josh O Connor from popular Netflix series The Crown, was written and directed by Frank Berry. He said that although this exact story is not based on a true one, the reality is very real for a lot of people like this and they wanted "the movie to feel as real as possible."

The movie takes viewers on a journey where Aisha is faced with challenge after challenge in her attempts to gain residency in Ireland. The story is really about friendship, as she finds companionship in Conor, played by Josh O Connor, who is a young man who works in her residence.

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As the movie progresses, we learn that Conor has a difficult past as well, and they lean on each other in times of need.

In her preparation for the role, Letitia said that she met with women who have faced these difficulties in their own lives when arriving in Ireland, who "have been silenced for whatever reason, maybe trauma has silenced them." She said she wanted to tell their story.

"We wanted to create a space for people to talk about this, to being asking questions about what the immigration system is like and does it work," said Frank.

"Every piece of art made about the direct provision system should be about dismantling the system."

"Aisha is our way of giving a voice to the voiceless," Letitia added.

"Aisha" is available to stream now on Sky Cinema

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