Ghosts (2007)

100% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(1,316 ratings)

Ai Qin, a young Chinese girl from Fujian, China, borrows $25,000 to pay Snakeheads to smuggle her into the UK illegally so she can support her son and family back in China. Once in the UK, she becomes another one of three million migrant workers that are the bedrock of its food supply chain,… More Ai Qin, a young Chinese girl from Fujian, China, borrows $25,000 to pay Snakeheads to smuggle her into the UK illegally so she can support her son and family back in China. Once in the UK, she becomes another one of three million migrant workers that are the bedrock of its food supply chain, construction and hospitality industries. She lives with eleven other Chinese in a two-bedroom suburban house. With illegally forged work permits, they work in factories preparing food for British supermarkets. In their search for better paying jobs to repay their debts, they end up cockling in Morecambe Bay at night. On February 5th 2004 twenty three Chinese drowned in Morecambe, their families in China are still paying off their debts.

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Nick Broomfield
Written By: Nick Broomfield, Jez Lewis
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 18, 2007 Wide
Studio: Beyond Films

Critic Reviews

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
Worth seeing, not just for its message, but also for the intriguing way it uses documentary tools to tell a true story.
James Greenberg, Hollywood Reporter
Veteran documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield makes an impressive leap to features with Ghosts.
Kevin Kelly, Cinematical
Extremely compelling.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
Finely balanced and well-argued, this is a work, which like its protagonist Ai Qin, has a quiet strength.
Jeremy Mathews, Film Threat
An extremely sincere depiction of the immigrant experience. Its core story isn't particularly better or worse than those of most other films about the immigrant experience, but it captures certain moments with gripping clarity.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
A strikingly well-made film, highlighting a serious issue in a powerfully resonant way.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Powerful, superbly directed and frequently harrowing docu-drama with a strong performance by Ai Qin Lin.
Charlotte O'Sullivan, This is London
Broomfield has great visual style, exposing-Britain's ugliness and beauty at every turn.
, Times [UK]
It's an astute move to step back behind the camera. This is a story powerful enough to need little help in getting its point across.
Stuart McGurk, thelondonpaper
From the stunning horizon-spanning opening to the nerve-shredding climax, controversial documentary-maker Nick Broomfield moves seamlessly into feature films.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
Broomfield, inspired by Ken Loach and perhaps too by Michael Winterbottom in his exposure of the migrants' plight, has made a film surprising in its intensity and compassion.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
Bookended by the terrible tragedy that befell Ai Qin and her friends, this is raw, heartfelt stuff - and enough to make you choke on your salad.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
A valuably tactless, steady, clear-eyed look at the tragedy and cruelty of the new globalised serfdom.
Jamie Russell, FilmFour.com
If you didn't know filmmaker Nick Broomfield was behind Ghosts you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Michael Winterbottom film.
Tom Dawson, BBC
Like Michael Winterbottom's In This World, the digitally-shot Ghosts blurs the distinctions between documentary and fiction.
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
It has its weak points as drama - some stilted acting, especially - but when the topic itself is so in need of exposure, much can be forgiven in favour of the film's social and political importance. And important it certainly is.
, Total Film
Reveals the appalling conditions of virtual slavery endured by illegal immigrant workers in today's Britain.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

Nick Broomfield's documentary experience allowed this film and it's portrayal of the events of the deaths of Chinese Imigrant workers at Morecambe Bay, England. The film takes you through the illegal imigration process up until the night of the tragic deaths. The film is… More
Nick Broomfield's documentary experience allowed this film and it's portrayal of the events of the deaths of Chinese Imigrant workers at Morecambe Bay, England. The film takes you through the illegal imigration process up until the night of the tragic deaths. The film is not only very realistic, but it's cast is mainly made up of people who have been in similar situations, which certainly adds to the authentic feel. In addition on the special features, you will find a very interesting 'Making of' section.
Ross C

An interesting insight into the story behind the death of Chinese cockle pickers caught up in the perilous tide of Morecambe Bay and the life of illegal immigrants working in Britain.

Cast

Ai Qin Lin

Ghosts (2007)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

Ross C

Cast

Photos