by Denise Garcia Bergt
The film chronicles the struggles of asylum seekers, in the state of Brandenburg, whose applications are still being processed in accordance with the Asylverfahrensgesetz §56 – the so-called Residenzpflicht.
Since 1982 asylum seekers submitted to Residenzpflicht may not leave the district in which the Ausländerbehörde at which they are registered, is located. As the legal proceedings determining asylum cases can take a very long time, the regulation can lead in extreme cases to a refugee being subject to this law for up to ten years.
Studying, working, shopping at the nearest supermarket, visiting relatives, taking a short trip with the German railway’s reduced weekend ticket or playing football on the field across the street can be extremely difficult for refugees in Germany.
Regarding freedom of movement, the authorities issue a permit either only for “essential” reasons – doctors or lawyers visits – or arbitrarily. Should they leave the district without permission, whether to visit friends, music, political events or simply for a change of scenery, they are committing an offence and can be punished with a fine or with imprisonment.
Last but not least, the Residenzpflicht keeps refugees from continuing their activities which made them flee their country.
“Residenzpflicht” tells the story of men and women who live in camps in the state of Brandenburg.
Residenzpflicht 