This acclaimed and multi-awarded French movie manages in a brilliant way to create sympathy and understanding of the life situation of illegal immigrants. The film is recommended for everybody over the age of 15, and it is perfect for educational purposes.

Plot
Bilal is 17 years old and has recently escaped from the Kurdish region in Iraq. He arrives in Calais, France in good spirits. In the distance he can see his goal – the white cliffs of Dover, or more specifically, the UK. If he manages to cross the English Channel he can be reunited with his girlfriend in London, find a job and begin to send much needed money home to his family in Iraq.

Bilal has travelled more than 4000 kilometres to get where he is now, partly on foot and partly by clinging to trucks, but still the most difficult part of the journey remains. Bilal pays 500 Euros to some handlers to join the stowaways on a Dover-bound truck, but they are caught by the police and Bilal is given a strong warning not to attempt to get to the UK again.

But Bilal refuses to give up. He tries to find another way to cross the Channel, but it seems hopeless. That is, there is one way to get across – he can defy the cold waters and strong currents, and swim.

Bilal starts taking swimming lessons. His teacher is Simon, who is in the middle of getting divorced. Gradually the two develop a relationship, and Simon, who is desperately trying to win back the love of his wife, decides to help Bilal in order to show his wife that he is a good person. This might be a dubious motivation, but it is the start of a friendship that leads to two very different people getting to understand and have sympathy for each other, at the same time as both of them find invaluable support in the other.

However, it is against the law to help illegal immigrants in France, and soon both of them get in serious trouble.  

Quality and Theme
”Welcome” is quite simply a brilliant film. The story is rock solid. The film’s language is calm and balanced, but at the same time the story is told in a distinct and strong way. In this movie we don’t get to know the characters’ backgrounds, motivation and immediate situation right away, as is often the case in more commercial movies. Instead, this information is unfolded gradually throughout the film, and eventually we get a distinct impression of the central characters and society in general. The presentation of the story stimulates curiosity and interest in the subject, and you develop great sympathy for the main characters.

This developing sympathy is the main reason why this move manages to convey its message in a very effective way. Bilal is a young man who has the same dreams as most people. He just wants to live a normal life with his girlfriend and support his family. This was not possible in his homeland, and thus he had to escape.

However, in France illegal immigration is regarded as a problem that needs to be removed, and the authorities have introduced strict laws. Our sympathy for Bilal and Simon make it easy to adopt a strong reluctance towards these laws and the double standards and underlying views on humans that are made visible. The main point of the movie is illustrated in an elegant and simple way: Simon’s neighbour has a door mat outside his apartment with the word “Welcome” written on it, but his hostile attitude soon reveals his lack of tolerance, compassion and understanding. This might make us, the audience, question our own and our society’s attitudes and laws. Are we just as intolerant and fake, even though, until now, we have believed that we are not?

Suitability
”Welcome” is perfect for educational purposes, and the film will be a good starting point for discussions and further studies on immigration policies and views on humanity. Young people don’t flock to the cinema to see French drama movies, and for this reason we recommend teachers to bring their students to see this movie. “Welcome” has a 15 year age limit.

Conclusion
”Welcome” is an important quality movie that has received several awards. The film has the potential to awaken a healthy commitment to society and remove unnecessary prejudices both in young people and adults, and comes highly recommended.

Facts

Director: Philippe Lioret Genre: Drama Actors: Vincent Lindon, Firat Ayverdi, Audrey Dana, Derya Ayverdi, Thierry Godard and more Language: French with English subtitles Nationality: France Production Company: Nord-Ouest Films Length: 1 hour 50 mins Production Year: 2009 Age Limit: 15 Suitability: Young people/adults BBFC’s Consumer Advice: Contains strong language.

Our Assessment: Recommended    

Official website:
Not available

Other reviews:

Film 4:
http://www.film4.com/reviews/2009/welcome