WELCOME

    SUMMARY

                When a French swimming coach meets a young immigrant his opinions are challenged as he views this 'problem' with a new philosophy.

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DAVE G'S WELCOME REVIEW:          

Every now and then a film comes along that makes such a strong political comment that people can’t help but sit up and take notice of it. Films such as ‘The Jammed’ (dir: Dee McLachlan) and ‘Samson & Delilah’ (dir: Warwick Thornton) have done it in Australia and now Philippe Lioret’s (‘Je Vais Bien, Ne T’en Fais Pas’, ‘Teste De Gondole’) ‘Welcome’ has opened up the world’s eyes to the plight of the illegal immigrants in France.

 Bilal (Firat Ayverdi – newcomer) has travelled thousands of miles from Kurdistan to France in a desperate bid to get to London to be with his girlfriend, Mina (Derya Ayverdi - newcomer) and to play soccer for Manchester United. After a failed crossing in a truck Bilal dreams up the scheme to swim across the English Channel. He meets swim coach, Simon (Vincent Lindon – ‘Pour Elle’, ‘Mes Amis, Mes Amours’) who offers to train the young boy. Simon also knows about broken hearts as he is in the middle of a divorce from his wife (Audrey Dana – ‘Ah! La Libido’, ‘Tellement Proches’). At first he helps Bilal in a nattempt to impress his soon-to-be ex-wife but soon he realises just how bad the immigrant’s plight is.

 Lioret is a director at the top of his game with ‘Welcome’. He really does use the irony of the world ‘welcome’ to the best effect at every possible chance although you do also get the feeling that occasionally he lets his guard down and doesn’t let some scenes make use of dramatic tension enough, and serious film lovers will notice that the ending seems rushed.

 These are small gripes though with a film that does challenge the emotions and political views of its audience. The terrific work of the two leads is what enhances the film though as Lindon puts in an amazing performance while Ayverdi takes the audience on an emotional journey. When in a scene together you can’t help but marvel at the intensity between them.

 While ‘Welcome’ does slip up occasionally in its story-telling it does ram home an important message you that you can only hope will indeed challenge its audience. Not the best film of the year but perhaps one of the most important ones.

RATING:- ****  (out of 5)

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