“We are all humans and we have the same rights”: Mira Erdevički on Leaving to Remain

Leaving to Remain is the eye-opening new documentary from Mira Erdevički that focuses on the positive migrant stories of three Roma individuals in the UK, providing an intimate insight into their daily lives and experiences, and the impact of the shifting environment since Brexit, both at a political and social level. The Upcoming spoke to the director about why she was motivated to make the film, the challenges and highlights of the process and what she hopes the impact of the film will be.

Erdevički revealed that her interest in the Roma community began in the 90s with her feature-length debut Black and White in Colour, then with Somewhere Better, and now this film, creating a trilogy. The director emphasised the importance of giving the Roma community a voice, as their stories are often overlooked and misrepresented. Leaving to Remain was initially meant to focus on the educational achievements of Roma migrants in the UK, but it evolved into a more intimate portrait of their lives due to the challenges posed by Covid-19. The pandemic forced the subjects of the documentary, Ondrej, Denisa and Petr, to film themselves, providing a unique perspective on their lives and experiences. Erdevički praises the resilience and adaptability of her subjects and the filmmaking process, highlighting the power of their stories to shed light on an often misunderstood community.

Sarah Bradbury

Leaving to Remain is released in select cinemas on 28^th April 2023.

Watch the trailer for Leaving to Remain here: