Indefinite
Indefinite takes audiences inside one of the UK’s most controversial and hidden institutions—its immigration detention system. Told through the voices of those who have lived it, this immersive VR documentary exposes the psychological toll of being held indefinitely, without charge or trial, in a system that operates largely out of sight.
With no time limit on detention, thousands of people—many of whom have lived in the UK for years—find themselves in a state of limbo, fighting to prove their right to remain. Using a mix of real-life testimony, stylised reconstructions, and immersive sound design, Indefinite shines a light on the devastating impact of this system on individuals and families.
Behind 20-foot prison walls, on the fringes of cities, thousands of people are detained in the UK every year with no idea when—or if—they will be released. Unlike most of Europe, the UK operates a system of indefinite detention, where people can be held for months or even years while awaiting immigration decisions. Many have already built lives, families, and communities in the UK. Others have fled violence and persecution in search of safety.
Indefinite brings these unseen experiences to the forefront. The film captures the confusion, fear, and frustration of those trapped in a system that erases identity and exacerbates trauma. Through powerful, first-hand accounts, the audience is placed directly into the reality of detention—feeling its disorienting effects, its dehumanisation, and its often senseless bureaucracy.
Filming a system that restricts press access posed a unique challenge. To recreate the atmosphere of a detention centre, Indefinite was filmed on location at HMP Gloucester, a decommissioned Category B prison—matching the security level of many UK detention centres. This environment allowed the team to craft a deeply immersive and psychologically intense experience that mirrors the reality faced by detainees.
Through a mix of vivid visual storytelling and layered sound design, the documentary is divided into distinct sections, each representing different stages of the detention experience. From the initial arrest to the emotional toll of indefinite waiting, each moment is designed to evoke the uncertainty and despair of the system.
Following its festival success, Indefinite was selected by The New York Times for its pioneering NYT VR app, making it one of a handful of high-profile immersive documentaries licensed by the publication. The app, a groundbreaking platform for immersive journalism, enabled audiences worldwide to step inside the UK’s indefinite detention system and experience its psychological impact firsthand.
Alongside the release, The New York Times Magazine commissioned an op-docs piece (£) to accompany the film, further amplifying the discussion around detention policies. This editorial provided crucial context, delving deeper into the human stories behind the statistics and exposing the ethical failings of indefinite detention.
Despite being framed as a necessary immigration control measure, indefinite detention is an ineffective and inhumane practice. Nearly two-thirds of those detained are eventually released, raising questions about the necessity of their detention in the first place. The psychological damage inflicted—ranging from severe anxiety to post-traumatic stress—often lasts far beyond release.
While some detainees are eventually deported, many are forced back into the community, their lives disrupted, their mental health shattered, and their futures uncertain. Through Indefinite, we hope to highlight the urgent need for reform and encourage greater public and political discourse around immigration detention in the UK.
"Virtual reality as a medium has qualities other mediums don’t have. Really, that’s about immersion; it’s about intimacy; it’s about agency within, interactivity and intensity as well. And within that experience, I think there is a genuine sort of exchange between the audience and the subject matter."
- Darren Emerson, Director
For many, immigration detention in the UK remains an invisible crisis. Unlike in most European countries, where detention is capped at a few months, the UK has no legal time limit on how long someone can be detained. This means that thousands of people—asylum seekers, long-term residents, and even British citizens mistakenly classified as undocumented—can be locked away for an undetermined length of time.
The experience is psychologically devastating. Many detainees compare it to a prison sentence, except without a release date. Anxiety and depression are rampant, and the system itself is riddled with inefficiencies, with cases often delayed for months or years. The lack of transparency means many people disappear into the system without media coverage or public awareness.
During the making of Indefinite, we spoke to individuals who had endured months in detention, experiencing isolation, frustration, and loss of identity. Many had been in the UK for decades before being detained. Others were survivors of torture, seeking asylum from war or persecution, only to find themselves trapped once again—this time by a government bureaucracy that often fails to see them as individuals.
At its core, Indefinite is about human stories. It’s about resilience, injustice, and the urgent need for change. It’s about people who have built lives, contributed to communities, and found themselves caught in an unforgiving and deeply flawed system.
If you want to learn more about the UK’s immigration detention system and how to support detainees, we encourage you to visit Detention Action.
Originally commissioned by Sheffield Doc/Fest & Site Gallery, and supported by Arts Council England, Indefinite premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest and has since screened at major international festivals, including Melbourne International Film Festival, Raindance, Berlinale, One World, Geneva, Maastricht, and Dubai International Film Festival.
The film has also been widely used for advocacy, with organisations such as Detention Action incorporating it into campaigns to raise awareness and push for detention reform.
Currently, Indefinite is available on The New York Times VR app, making it accessible to audiences worldwide.