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A Nigerian refugee held in a Dublin detention centre develops an emotional connection with an Irish security guard, played by Josh O’ConnorThis intense and heartfelt drama from Irish writer-director Frank Berry addresses a growing concern in Ireland: that a nation once known for its talented and hard-working emigrants is becoming ironically heartless towards its own applicants for asylum (although Ireland hasn’t yet embraced Theresa May’s “hostile environment” formula).Letitia Wright gives a performance of intense focus, controlled anger and dignity as Aisha, a Nigerian refugee being held in a Dublin detention centre, unable to return because her father and brothers were murdered by gangsters; she is trying to establish her own leave to remain and then bring over her elderly, ailing mother who is still in danger. Aisha is treated like a cross between a prisoner and a difficult boarding school pupil by the prickly official staff with whom she is icily resentful in return. But she finds a miraculous connection with a new security guard there: Conor, a guy with vulnerabilities of his own – and it’s a lovely, gentle performance from Josh O’Connor with whom Wright finds a very emotional rapport. Continue reading...