From Bafta-winning DIRECTOR
Hassan Akkad
Jump to;
Watch the filmThe First Drop of Rain: Making MATARTake action'LIMBO' photo seriesScreeningsPartnerships
Watch the filmThe First Drop of Rain; Making MATARTake action'LIMBO' photo seriesScreeningsPartnerships

THE
‍FILM

THE
FILM

Directed by Bafta-winning director, Hassan Akkad, MATAR is a WaterBear Original following the story of an asylum seeker in England who, when confronted with the hostile immigration system in the UK, is forced to live on the fringes of society and rely on his bike to survive.
‍
A powerful and poignant story of resilience and perseverance, based on the lived experience of co-writer Ayman Alhussein. MATAR stars actor Ahmed Malek (The Swimmers) in the titular role, with BAFTA-nominated actor Youssef Kerkour (Home) and Elmi Rashid Elmi (The Swimmers). The docu-fiction is produced by Deadbeat Studios in association with Choose Love.
Watch now on WaterBear

THE FIRST DROP OF RAIN: MAKING 
MATAR

THE FIRST 
DROP OF RAIN:
MAKING MATAR

The First Drop of Rain: Making Matar, produced by Deadbeat Impact, is an artistic exploration into the production of MATAR. Central to this video is the story of Hiba Noor, a multi-disciplinary artist who’s fled Pakistan and is currently residing in London whilst she waits for her asylum case to be processed by the UK government. Hiba, alongside the production partners, is in or have been in the position of our fictionalized character Matar. It is through this direct reflection of the film's themes we present a production, a process and stories of why people should be given the right to claim asylum and the right to work.
Watch The First Drop of Rain: Making MATAR

TAKE
ACTION

WRITE TO YOUR MP
to OPPOSE  THE  REFUGEE BAN BILL
‍(UK citizens)

Support
Choose Love

The new proposed legislation by the Home Secretary will remove the right to asylum in the UK. This will lead to more human suffering, it breaks international law, will cost the taxpayers millions, and cause chaos to an asylum system already on the brink of collapse. People seeking safety from war, persecution and human rights abuses will instead be locked up indefinitely, left in permanent limbo, under the perpetual threat of deportation. Write to your MP today to oppose the Refugee Ban Bill.
Choose Love elevates the voices and visibility of refugees and galvanises public support for agile community organisations providing vital support to refugees along migration routes globally. With the Choose Love shop people can buy real items and life-saving interventions which will go directly to refugees and displaced people across the world.
Write to your MP todaySupport Choose Love

Share
the FILM

Host
a screening

The narrative and language used by the media and politicians around people seeking asylum is often very negative and dehumanizing. We need to change that narrative. Sharing the right message on social media can be very powerful to create and sustain positive change. Be part of this change by sharing our film- and campaign assets with your network.
We welcome and encourage everyone to host a screening in their local community - whether you are an organization, non-profit, school or community center. We provide the screening license for the films and all the materials for free and can also try to  accommodate any speaking requests.
Download the toolkitRequest a screening

'LIMBO'
PHOTO SERIES

Limbo explores the state of “limbo” that many asylum seekers face in temporary accommodations in the UK while awaiting crucial decisions about their future. Through a visual narrative and informative text,  “Limbo” highlights lived experiences of a community that is neglected, isolated and restricted from mainstream society due to barriers imposed upon them during this uncertain state of limbo. Using silk and silk routes as a metaphor, the artist highlights the journeys, strengths, diversity and skills of this vulnerable community of asylum seekers across the UK.
‍
About the artist;
Aida Silvestri, currently working with groups of refugees and asylum seekers in Kent and London. Aida is an interdisciplinary artist and educator of Eritrean descent. She creates mixed media artworks often combining text, image and experimental techniques to manipulate the phonographic surface.
Read their personal stories

REQUEST A
SCREENING

We welcome and encourage everyone to host a screening in their local community - whether you are an organization, non-profit, school or community center. We provide the screening license for the film(s) and all the materials for free and can also try to accommodate any speaking requests. Please reach out to us via: info@waterbear.com

MATAR
PARTNERSHIPS

Documentaries with purpose, for purpose.
WaterBear is the first ground-breaking streaming platform dedicated to the future of our planet. It uniquely empowers the viewer to take direct instant action to support NGOs around the world and shape a better future for our fragile planet. Sign up today to watch for free without ads or commitments.
Over 1000 documentaries & shorts.
Watch award-winning films and impactful series for free.

Growing community.
Join initiatives and organisations that make a difference.

Watch anytime and anywhere.
Download to stay up to date with our latest must-watches.
Apple Store WaterBear App Link Placeholder IconAndroid Store WaterBear App Link Placeholder Icon