Problemski Hotel by Steve Hawes opens in 30 French cities tonight

Last night's press night was a triumph for Steve Hawes and co-writers as the award winning PROBLEMSKI HOTEL opened to rave reviews.


This unusual Christmas story follows a cross-frontier migrant's life 'within the system' - an endless, featureless, futureless round of queues – which becomes even bleaker in December. Bipul doesn't want to admit it, but the arrival of Lidia, a Russian girl makes a difference. Hope? Surely not! A future? Get real! December is also the ninth month of Martina's pregnancy. But, just when the situation seems hopeless, help is at hand.

Quotes from reviews:

« Poétique et envoûtant. » Télérama  (“Poetic and spellbinding”)

« Une maîtrise sans faille. » Libération (“Faultless mastery”)

« Kafkaïenne métaphore sur un monde en perdition. » Positif  (“A Kafkaesque metaphor for a world in perdition”)

« Le cinéaste montre l’absurdité, la poésie ou la drôlerie qui affleurent dans l’expérience migratoire. » Polka  (“ The film-maker shows the absurdity, the poetry the humour that flourish among migrants”)

« Problemski Hotel parvient avec une indéniable virtuosité à mettre en balance le désespoir et la légèreté, Kafka et Tati. » Culturopoing (“…undeniable virtuosity in finding the balance between despair and lightness, Franz Kafka and Jacques Tati.”)

« Un charme indicible. » Le Journal du Dimanche  (“Unutterable charm.”)