Video information
In Calais, France, there is a group of refugees from the Kurdish region of Iraq, who are met with suspicion and rejection by the majority of French people. One of these refugees is 17-year-old Bilal (played by Firat Ayverdi), who is passionate about football. Bilal dreams of going to Britain, and after failing to cross through a truck, he begins to learn how to swim and meets Simon (played by Vincent Lindon), a French swimming coach. Simon is captivated by Bilal's dedication and gradually develops a liking for the young man. When Simon learns that Bilal is learning to swim in order to cross the English Channel, he tries to dissuade him. However, upon discovering that Bilal is going to Britain to see his girlfriend, Mina, Simon, who is in the process of getting a divorce, unexpectedly decides to help him... The film won two awards at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival: the European Film Award and the Catholic Humanitarian Spirit Award.