Click here to copy URL

Welcome

7.2

3,401

Ratings

Add to lists

where to watch

Links

Original title

Welcome

Year

2009

Running time

110 min.

Country

France

Director

Philippe Lioret

Screenwriter

Philippe Lioret, Emmanuel Courcol, Olivier Adam

Cast

Music

Nicola Piovani, Wojciech Kilar, Armand Amar

Cinematography

Laurent Dailland

Producer

Nord-Ouest Films, France 3 Cinéma, Studio 37, C.R.R.A.V

Genre

Drama | Immigration. Teen/coming-of-age. Swimming

Synopsis

Bilal is 17 and comes from Iraq. He left his native land shortly after his girlfriend emigrated to England and is now in the midst of an adventurous journey across Europe in order to see her again. However, his trek has now come to an abrupt end here on the northern coast of France and he can go no further. Between him and his girlfriend Mina lies the wintry English Channel, its waves whipped into a frenzy of peaks and troughs by the strong gusts of the north-west wind. Bilal is stranded in Calais. A stretch of water measuring 32 kilometres separates him from the nearest English town. In a flash, the boy decides to head for the local swimming pool in order to begin training. This is where he meets lifeguard Simon, to whom he eventually confides his grand plan. Simon takes Bilal under his wing and secretly teaches the young Kurd how to crawl...

Awards: 2009: Berlin Film Festival - Section Panorama: Award Label Europa Cinemas

2009: Festival Gijón: Best Screenplay

2009: César Awards: 10 Nominations including Best Film

2009: David di Donatello Awards: Nominated for Best European Film

2009: Gijón Film Festival: Best Script. 2 nominations

Show all

Critics' reviews

"Firat Ayverdi and Vincent Lindon give superb performances (...) It's a superbly made piece of cinema, with much to offer the film lover"

Andrew L. Urban: Urbancinefile

Movie Soulmates' ratings: Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings: Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.

Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]

All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.

For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org

User history

Welcome

2009

Philippe Lioret

7.2

(3,401)