Synopsis
Bilal is 17 years old, a Kurdish boy from Iraq. He sets off on an adventure-filled journey across Europe. He wants to get to England to see his love who lives there. Bilal finally reaches Calais, but how do you cover 32 kilometers of the English Channel when you can't swim? The boy soon discovers that his trip won't be as easy as he imagined... The community of struggling illegal aliens in Calais
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Cast
- Vincent LindonSimon
- Firat AyverdiBilal
- Audrey DanaMarion
- Olivier RabourdinLe lieutenant de police
- Derya AyverdiMîna
- Yannick RenierAlain
- Thierry GodardBruno
- Jean-Paul ComartLe gradé chez Simon
- Firat CelikKoban
- Mehmet Selim AkgülZoran
Recommendations
- 75
New York Post
Has its share of clichés and contrivances. Fortunately, compensation is provided by strong performances by veteran actor Vincent Lindon as the coach and newcomer Firat Ayverdi as the refugee. - 70
Boxoffice Magazine
Shooting in Calais give Welcome a realistic atmosphere with vivid details. - 70
The New York Times
Compelling, finely balanced immigration drama. - 70
Variety
Though the issue of illegal immigration is nothing new in French cinema, Welcome makes auds care deeply for its absorbing characters. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
The movie offers no simple solutions, nor even a feel-good ending, but throws a cold light on the human tragedy that underlies many of today's headlines. - 60
Time Out
Francophiles understand that Vincent Lindon's presence in any film is a bonus, as few actors know how to translate sad-eyed, macho gruffness into so many different flavors. - 40
Village Voice
Heavy ironies like that drop regularly, undermining both the film's intentions and the drama.
