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Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) and Simon (Vincent Lindon) in WELCOME, directed by Philippe Lioret.

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* Most external filmography links go to The Internet Movie Database.

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Welcome (2009/2010)

Opened: 05/07/2010 Limited

Limited05/07/2010
Lincoln Plaza/...05/07/2010 - 05/20/201014 days
Quad Cinema/NYC05/14/2010 - 05/20/20107 days
DVD08/10/2010

Genre: French Drama (French, English and Kurdish w/English subtitles)

Rated: Unrated

Synopsis

Bilal, a 17-year-old Kurdish refugee, has struggled his way through Europe for the last three months trying to reunite with his girlfriend, who recently emigrated to England. But his journey comes to an abrupt halt when he is stopped by authorities in Calais, on the French side of the Channel. Left with no other alternatives, he decides to swim across. Bilal goes to the local swimming pool to train, where he meets Simon, a middle-aged swimming instructor in turmoil over his imminent divorce. Simon agrees to help Bilal, hoping to win back the affection of his wife, who does volunteer work helping immigrants. But what begins as a relationship based on self interest, develops into something much bigger than Simon could ever have imagined, as he too will ultimately risk everything to reach happiness.

Awards

  • WINNER - Label Europa Cinemas Award and Ecumenical Prize - Berlin International Film Festival
  • WINNER - European Parliament Lux Prize
  • WINNER - Best Film - Lumiere Awards WINNER - Best Screenplay and Special Jury Prize - Gijón International Film Festival
  • WINNER - Grand Prize for Dramatic Feature - Heartland Film Festival
  • WINNER - Audience Award - Warsaw International Film Festival
  • NOMINATED - 10 Cesar Awards (French Academy Awards) including Best Film, Best Director and Best Breakout Performance

Official Selection

  • Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
  • Seattle International Film Festival
  • Istanbul International Film Festival
  • Shanghai International Film Festival
  • Helsinki International Film Festival
  • Haugesund Film Festival
  • Seoul International Film Festival
  • Mumbai International Film Festival
  • Dubai International Film Festival
  • Palm Springs International Film Festival

DVD

DVD

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