6 Oct 10
Director: Philippe Lioret
France
2009
110 min
Bilal, a 17-year-old Kurdish boy, has travelled through the Middle East and Europe to join his girlfriend who has settled in London with her family. When his journey comes to an abrupt end in France, he decides to swim across the Channel and goes to the local pool in Calais to train. He meets Simon (Vincent Lindon) who, in a bid to impress his estranged wife, takes Bilal under his wing and gives him shelter and swimming lessons. Winning prizes and praise from audience and critics alike and told with brutal honesty, this human story portrays the cold, hunger and risks of casual violence suffered by many of the refugees trying to reach the United Kingdom.