Post by: Katrina Schmidt In week three of winter term, No Lost Generation hosted a film screening alongside the Muslim Student Association of the 2009 French film “Welcome” by Philippe Lioret in an effort to draw awareness to the struggles of refugees. We had many students show up including those from the Muslim Student Association and several French students. There was food catered by Caspian, a Mediterranean restaurant in Eugene. The movie follows Bilal, a young Iraqi-Kurdish refugee, and Simon, a French swimming coach who takes Bilal and his friend in. This is a risky move for Simon as aiding the refugees is considered illegal by the French government. Bilal is trying to make it to England to find his girlfriend Mina who has moved there with her family. Bilal has traveled for three months already to make it to France and the journey has not been easy. One story he recounts is being kidnapped, beaten, and held for days with a bag tied around his head. With what little money he has left when he gets to France, Bilal tries to arrange passage into England by being smuggled in a semi-truck. Officers test carbon dioxide emissions in the trucks at different checkpoints to see if there is anyone inside. To avoid getting caught, the refugees in the truck put bags around their heads for several minutes until they can pass through. Bilal cannot handle this as it brings back memories of his time in captivity so he removes the bag and all the men are caught and arrested. This creates enemies for Bilal in the refugee camp he is sent to and now he does not have enough money to try again. This is a risky move for Simon as aiding the refugees is considered illegal by the French government." After coming upon a public pool, Bilal gets the idea that he will learn to swim and try to cross the English Channel. With his remaining money Bilal requests swimming lessons from Simon which is how the two meet. Once Simon realizes Bilal is a refugee, he struggles between wanting to help him and not wanting to get in trouble for helping him. Simon decides to help him out as he relates to Bilal and wants to see him reunited with his girlfriend. Simon himself is going through a divorce and wants to prove to his ex that he has compassion for others which is his starting motivation for helping them.
Even though their relationship starts out rocky, Simon comes to care for Bilal like a father and even gives him his ex’s wedding ring to propose to his girlfriend with. The friendship that is made between Bilal and Simon shows us the similarities between the two and how hard it is for Simon to overcome his assumptions and fears of trusting Bilal. The film overall does a great job of highlighting many of the struggles refugees face once they reach a new country.
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