Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers
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Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hunting the Ease Lorry Killers is a powerful but harrowing documentary about the death of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in the back of a lorry in England in 2019. The film uses CCTV, body cam footage, talking heads, and police interviews to show how the investigation unfolded. Though no actual violence is depicted on-screen, graphic descriptions of how the victims would have died are told and cellphone messages sent to family members during their last moments are shown. There are also interviews with some of these family members, their heartbreak clear to see. While the criminals involved show no regard to human life with their motivation being money, the different police forces across Europe are shown in a positive light. They work together and show perseverance in their hunt for those involved.
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What's the Story?
HUNTING THE ESSEX LORRY KILLERS takes a look at the horrendous death of 39 Vietnamese migrants who were found in the back of a lorry in England in 2019. Interviews with the police and some of the victims' families show what went into the investigation as well as the devastation this tragedy left behind.
Is It Any Good?
In what is one of the worst migrant tragedies to happen in the United Kingdom, this hard-hitting documentary is a tough watch. Through a series of talking heads, CCTV footage, and actual police interviews, Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers starts with the discovery of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated to death in the back of a lorry in 2019 and then explains how the subsequent investigation unfolded.
It plays like a police procedural drama. There are dead ends and lucky breaks. But the filmmakers also deserve credit for never losing sight of the human tragedy at the heart of the case. In one sequence, headshots of all 39 of the victims appear on-screen with their names typed underneath. It's a chilling but important moment, as is the documentary as a whole.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they felt while watching Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers. Did it make you upset, angry, or both? Why do you think people make such dangerous journeys and why do you think people are willing to exploit them?
In what ways did the police show teamwork and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths to have? Can you think of any times in your own life when you've demonstrated these traits?
How did this documentary compare to others you've sene? What makes a good documentary?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 20, 2022
- Director: Niamh Kennedy
- Studio: Topic
- Genre: Documentary
- Character Strengths: Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 59 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
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