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2009

1h 50m

Drama

Comedy

List

87%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

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.

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Nick Schager

House Next Door

A one-note moral lesson devoid of dialogue with the very hot-button topics it feigns interest in.

Jan 21, 2011

Full Review

Stephen Holden

New York Times

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.

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2010

Full Review

V.A. Musetto

New York Post

[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.

Rated: 3/4

May 7, 2010

Full Review

Laura Clifford

Reeling Reviews

...the 'white man's perspective' on the Middle Eastern immigrant saga seen from the Afghan POV in Michael Winterbottom's "In This World..."

Rated: B

Jul 24, 2010

Full Review

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

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.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 7, 2010

Full Review

Marcy Dermansky

About.com

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.

Rated: 4/5

May 9, 2010

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Vincent Lindon, one of my favorite french actors.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

awesome movie I was left speechless

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Un sujet intéressant et une bonne performance de Vincent Lindon et de Firat Ayverdi.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sevärd fransk film som får en att tänka till. Rekommenderas varmt!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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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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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)