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87% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Kurdish teen Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) has traveled all the way to the north of France in the hope of reuniting with his girlfriend in England. To get around a legal technicality, he decides to swim across the English Channel -- even though he's unable to swim. Simon Calmat (Vincent Lindon), the local swimming instructor who is struggling with his own impending divorce, agrees to train Bilal for his grueling journey. The two soon form a strong bond that helps them in unexpected ways.

Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager House Next Door 01/21/2011
A one-note moral lesson devoid of dialogue with the very hot-button topics it feigns interest in. Go to Full Review Stephen Holden New York Times 05/07/2010
4/5
Puts you so completely into the shoes of a young man facing almost insurmountable obstacles that you feel a profound empathy not only for him but also for all who are ready to risk everything for the dream of a better life. Go to Full Review V.A. Musetto New York Post 05/07/2010
3/4
[It] has its share of clichs and contrivances. Fortunately, compensation is provided by strong performances by veteran actor Vincent Lindon as the coach and newcomer Firat Ayverdi as the refugee. Go to Full Review Laura Clifford Reeling Reviews 07/24/2010
B
...the 'white man's perspective' on the Middle Eastern immigrant saga seen from the Afghan POV in Michael Winterbottom's "In This World..." Go to Full Review Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film 07/07/2010
4/5
By keeping the focus firmly on the personal relationship between the two men Lioret lifts his story out of cliche and into a place where emotions flourish. Go to Full Review Marcy Dermansky About.com 05/09/2010
4/5
Loiret's story is inherently affecting, made more so by veteran actor Vincent Lindon, who owns one of cinema's all-time great hangdog expressions. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/09/2015 An aptly named film that's particularly relevant today with the refugee crisis -- its got heart, damn good acting from the handsome French veteran Vincent Lindon and the 17th yo Firat Ayverdi as Bilal. Damn good film. See more 05/26/2015 Vincent Lindon, one of my favorite french actors. See more 11/18/2013 awesome movie I was left speechless See more 10/28/2013 Un sujet intéressant et une bonne performance de Vincent Lindon et de Firat Ayverdi. See more 08/09/2013 It takes a 17 year old boy 3 long months to travel from Iraqi Kurdistan to reach Calais, France and just needs to cross over the English Channel to get to London to be with his girlfriend. He tried smuggling onto an 18 wheeler but is caught. Then he comes up with the idea of swimming across the English Channel. This is a look at the tough laws and dangers involved in assisting illegal immigrants and how someone will do anything to achieve their dream. See more 02/09/2013 Sevärd fransk film som får en att tänka till. Rekommenderas varmt! See more Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Philippe Lioret

Director

Vincent Lindon

Simon Calmat

Firat Ayverdi

Bilal

Audrey Dana

Marion Calmat

Derya Ayverdi

Mina

Thierry Godard

Bruno

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Welcome

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Movie Info

Synopsis Kurdish teen Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) has traveled all the way to the north of France in the hope of reuniting with his girlfriend in England. To get around a legal technicality, he decides to swim across the English Channel -- even though he's unable to swim. Simon Calmat (Vincent Lindon), the local swimming instructor who is struggling with his own impending divorce, agrees to train Bilal for his grueling journey. The two soon form a strong bond that helps them in unexpected ways.
Director
Philippe Lioret
Producer
Christophe Rossignon
Screenwriter
Philippe Lioret, Emmanuel Courcol, Olivier Adam
Production Co
Pictanovo, StudioCanal, The Bureau, France 3 Cinéma, Nord-Ouest Films
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 26, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.5K
Runtime
1h 50m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)