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      2009 1h 49m Drama List
      87% 30 Reviews Tomatometer 86% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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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 Read all reviews Post a rating

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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
      Screenwriter
      Philippe Lioret, Emmanuel Courcol, Olivier Adam
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      French (Canada)
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jul 26, 2020
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $13.5K
      Runtime
      1h 49m
      Sound Mix
      DTS, Dolby Digital