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By Nomadic Chris, 21 December 2009
How far would you go to start a new life and to be with your loved one?
Would you swim the channel between France and the United Kingdom unaided?
What are the desperate measures people take to get into another country?
"WELCOME" is a popular new French film dealing with the tough issues of refugees and migration in the Northern port city of Calais. "Welcome" portrays the lives of refugees with one sole goal, to live and work in England, seen as the land of endless opportunity.
The film, directed by Philippe Lioret focuses on Bilal (Firat Ayverdi), a young Kurd, who, having failed to cross the Channel hidden in a lorry, asks a local swimming instructor Simon (Vincent Lindon) to train him to swim across. A feat very few people have achieved unaided. What is Bilal's motivation? Love. His girlfriend lives in London and he longs to be with her.
Simon is both world weary and in the midst of divorce. Initially reluctant to help, a longing for his ex-wife (a refugee volunteer) and the injustice he sees stirs him into action. In the face of huge risks, he befriends, trains and mentors Bilal and a sense of empathy grows between the two.
Bilal has already travelled 4000km virtually on foot and endured torture to get to Calais. He is ready to risk his life to overcome the final hurdle, the vast emptiness of the channel. From watching the film, a young viewer will learn about:
* The Refugee situation in France especially Calais. The Red Cross Centre at Sangette closed in 2002 but still thousands of refugees remain and live in temporary accommodation in an area called “The Jungle” which police have attempted to clear several times.
* The local volunteers and the food, shelter and assistance they provide.
* The strict border controls in both France and the United Kingdom. In one year, up to one million trucks are checked and 28,000 attempts to cross prevented.
* The human side of the refugee problem. This year, the UNHCR began to establish a presence in Calais to ease the problem.
“WELCOME” has been a smash hit in France and is now slowly gaining greater popularity around the world on the film festival circuit. Some members of the French government have criticised the film for how it shows the authorities in a bad light. Others have praised the piece for its realism and sense of empathy. Like any thought provoking film, the piece has polarised opinions.
The characters and their sense of desperation are well portrayed. Often seen as mere faceless and nameless numbers, the refugees in the film, are fleshed out and their humanity is for all too see. As the film progresses, you gain a greater sense of empathy with their plight and their simple dreams which sadly, for the majority, will not be achieved.
Does Bilal make it across the channel? Regardless of the result, the film and the characters will stay with you long after you leave the cinema.
Highly recommended. Both educational and touching at the same time.
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