You have no choice about being here youll have no choice about when you leave proclaims a woman in Xiaolu Guos latest film a documentary about the personal and physical journeys of the people of Londons East End Herself an immigrant to the area Guos sensitive character studies hint at an affinity with the push and pull of feelings of alienation a theme she has previously explored as a filmmaker She a Chinese LFF 2009 and novelist A Concise ChineseEnglish Dictionary for Lovers This empathy is also apparent in her playful stylistic approach that layers Warholesque news reports archival material and a soundtrack including Linton Kwesi Johnson and Fela Kuti to comment on the human cost of capitalism The resulting film is both a penetrating portrait of a frenetic place that feels deeply authentic and a powerful piece of protest film
