"Welcome" screening & peoples kitchen
Bristol No Borders | 19.07.2010 20:22
critically acclaimed French film about the situation for migrants in Calais and the realities of the border regime. Text or call the No Borders phone on to find out where...07909172767 food from 8pm, film after
Despite some Bristolians being arrested for offering practical solidarity with migrants in Calais, we will continue to resist.. come along and find out about the campaign and what you can do locally!
Welcome is a story of personal challenge in the face of discriminatory laws, red tape and enforcement.
A 17-year old Kurdish refugee named Bilal (played by novice actor Firat Ayverdi) is coached by a swimming instructor who hopes to prepare the young man for the challenge of swimming the English Channel. Bilal's dream is to join his girlfriend and play for Manchester United.
Calais, where the film was set, has been a gathering point for immigrants hoping to make it across the English Channel.
The director of the film, Philippe Lioret, went so far as to compare the ordeal experienced by many migrants in France with the plight of Jews in Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War.
In reference to the French laws that threaten people who help migrants the director had this to say to the newspaper La Voix du Nord: "To see that a decent guy can all of a sudden be charged and that he can go to prison is crazy... It feels like it’s 1943 and we’ve hidden a Jew in the basement."
The comparison has angered the French Immigration minister, Eric Besson, who said Lioret has "crossed a red line" in an effort to generate publicity for the film.
Besson might argue with the comparison but the truth is a hellish situation faces migrants who end up in Calais. Since the closure of the Red Cross-run Sangatte center back in 2002, no substantial improvements have been made. During the winter local authorities caved-in and provided indoor facilities, but this was only because they didn't want to risk press stories about frozen bodies lying around on the street.
It is not only the French government who are responsible for this situation, they are working with the UKBA and our government at every turn.
Despite some Bristolians being arrested for offering practical solidarity with migrants in Calais, we will continue to resist.. come along and find out about the campaign and what you can do locally!
Welcome is a story of personal challenge in the face of discriminatory laws, red tape and enforcement.
A 17-year old Kurdish refugee named Bilal (played by novice actor Firat Ayverdi) is coached by a swimming instructor who hopes to prepare the young man for the challenge of swimming the English Channel. Bilal's dream is to join his girlfriend and play for Manchester United.
Calais, where the film was set, has been a gathering point for immigrants hoping to make it across the English Channel.
The director of the film, Philippe Lioret, went so far as to compare the ordeal experienced by many migrants in France with the plight of Jews in Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War.
In reference to the French laws that threaten people who help migrants the director had this to say to the newspaper La Voix du Nord: "To see that a decent guy can all of a sudden be charged and that he can go to prison is crazy... It feels like it’s 1943 and we’ve hidden a Jew in the basement."
The comparison has angered the French Immigration minister, Eric Besson, who said Lioret has "crossed a red line" in an effort to generate publicity for the film.
Besson might argue with the comparison but the truth is a hellish situation faces migrants who end up in Calais. Since the closure of the Red Cross-run Sangatte center back in 2002, no substantial improvements have been made. During the winter local authorities caved-in and provided indoor facilities, but this was only because they didn't want to risk press stories about frozen bodies lying around on the street.
It is not only the French government who are responsible for this situation, they are working with the UKBA and our government at every turn.
Bristol No Borders
Original article on IMC Bristol:
http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/692748
