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Poster for Welcome

Welcome

Friendship has no borders. True love has no limits.

2009 · 1h 50m · Not Rated Drama, Romance
Directed by Philippe Lioret

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Overview

Bilal is 17 years old, a Kurdish boy from Iraq. He sets off on an adventure-filled journey across Europe. He wants to get to England to see his love who lives there. Bilal finally reaches Calais, but how do you cover 32 kilometers of the English Channel when you can't swim? The boy soon discovers that his trip won't be as easy as he imagined... The community of struggling illegal aliens in Calais

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
87%
Tomatometer
Fresh

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.

Stephen Holden, New York Times
Fresh

[It] has its share of cliches and contrivances. Fortunately, compensation is provided by strong performances by veteran actor Vincent Lindon as the coach and newcomer Firat Ayverdi as the refugee.

V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Fresh

Don't discount the pleasure of watching a weathered star breathe life into an otherwise banal film.

David Fear, Time Out New York
Rotten

Starting strong with its atmospheric immersion in the herd of immigrants killing time by the docks, Welcome quickly shrugs off credibility by equating Bilal's quest with Simon's angst over his recent divorce.

Vadim Rizov, Village Voice

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