Welcome
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Philippe Lioret
Olivier Rabourdin
Thierry Godard
Derya Ayverdi
Vincent Lindon
Selim Akgül
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Bilal comes from Iraq. He left his homeland shortly after his girlfriend emigrated to England and is now in the midst of a journey across Europe in order to see her again. However, his journey has now come to an abrupt end on the northern coast of France. Between Bilal and his girlfriend Mina lies the wintry English Channel. He is stranded in Calais due to the weather--a stretch of water measuring 32 kilometres separates him from the nearest English town. His only option to cross the Channel during this season is to swim. In a flash, the boy heads for the local swimming pool to begin training. It is there that he meets lifeguard Simon who teaches Bilal how to crawl.
Director
Philippe Lioret
Cast
Olivier Rabourdin
Thierry Godard
Derya Ayverdi
Vincent Lindon
Selim Akgül
Karzan Sherabayani
Audrey Dana
Yannick Renier
Firat Ayverdi
Crew
Olivier Adam
Philip Bodffard
Yves Brover
Emmanuel Courcol
Laurent Dailland
Philippe Lioret
Pierre Mertens
Nicola Piovani
Laurent Quaglio
Christophe Rossignon
Andrea Sedlácková
Eric Tisserand
Martial Vallanchon
Tatiana Vialle
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Winner of the 2nd Place Panorama Audience Award, the Ecumenical Jury Panorama Prize and co-winner of the Label Europa Cinemas Prize at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival.
Released in United States Spring May 7, 2010
Released in United States 2009
Released in United States February 2009
Released in United States July 2009
Shown at Seattle International Film Festival (Contemporary World Cinema) May 21-June 14, 2009.
Shown at Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama Special) February 5-15, 2009.
Shown at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Horizons) July 3-11, 2009.
Released in United States Spring May 7, 2010 (NYC)
Released in United States 2009 (Shown at Seattle International Film Festival (Contemporary World Cinema) May 21-June 14, 2009.)
Released in United States February 2009 (Shown at Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama Special) February 5-15, 2009.)
Released in United States July 2009 (Shown at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Horizons) July 3-11, 2009.)
