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3 things that just didn't make sense to me

posted 14 years ago by alonsanfan
14 replies | jump to latest

1.- Bilal walked 4000 kms from Kurdistan to Calais, and he still has 500 euros to pay for the ferry? was he a rich kurd? Did he have a bank account in Switzerland? I'll give this one to him, maybe he was just very good at saving money, but my suspension of disbelief started shattering right there.

2.- Cell phones but no internet? Nowadays Bilal and Mina would have kept touch through facebook all along. But wait, the movie is set in nowadays.

3.- Why not stay in France, learn french, tell the girlfriend to move with him (she is not an illegal immigrant, she can move at whim).

I know the point the movie wants to make, people used to be able to move freely the world about, and hospitality should never be a crime. But hey, I can't condone these 3 details. Anybody?

[–] m_jelly 14 years ago

1- I thought that was weird too. He was probably motivated by his final goal so did everything he could to save money during his journey, but 500 euros are a big sum for a 17 year old immigrant.

2- Mina has no cell phone and I guess that due to her education she has little access to Internet, or none at all. Same goes for Bilal, I'm not sure he comes from a reality where facebook is the standard way to keep in touch.

3- In this case as well, I asked myself the same question. The thing is a girl like Mina can probably never escape her family's control, so leaving them to move abroad is not an option.

[–] dlevy1201 14 years ago

1. The 500 Euros wasn't for a ferry it was for a handler to smuggle himself via truck.

2. Computers or other devices to access the internet are expensive, much more than cell phones. Hot spots for internet access is not available everywhere across Europe, especially Iraq. Mina's actions and communications were closely monitored by her father/family. She wouldn't have been able to keep in touch via facebook.

3. Mina would never be able to leave her family and meet Bilal in France. She comes from a very traditional old-fashioned family where they "arrange" marriages. After seeing what life was like for her at home do you really think she can move at whim?????? Also it was never made clear what her status is in England.

[–] bbraat 14 years ago

1. Bilal paid 500 for himself and his friend and helped a third man who was short so we're talking more like 1100 Euros. I don't know how he was NOT beaten and robbed in the camp for the money.

2. Access to the internet in France, even ten to fifteen years ago was widespread. Even then it was much more prevalent than it is in the US NOW! There have been phone shops in small to medium to large sized cities near all the stations. One would just walk into one and pay a low cash rate and call anywhere one wanted. Again, outside the US this is very common.

3. The relationship with Mina was doomed from the start. Even if Bilal got to her she wouldn't go against her family.

[–] cinesimon 13 years ago

Of course an Iraqi refuge would know all about online communication, as opposed to using what he knew and had been using for quite some time.
No,the first thing a refuge does when arriving in a new country, of course, is figure out what the latest gadgetry is...

[–] bbraat 13 years ago

You should be able try to respond without being a sarcastic jackass or you should shut the heck up.

I've been to these places. Believe it or not, illegal aliens in France have lots of access to the internet and they know how to use. They're not retarded. Actually some retarded people can use the internet as well. It's not difficult. In France, as well as the US, there are businesses that cater to the illegal alien client.

[–] livingfortoday 13 years ago

I agree with you.

[–] cooleon 13 years ago

I Think all your questions are reasonably explainable.

1. the money.
Hello? have you heard saving?

2. Internet
where would they get and keep a computer?
if they have some sort of internet cafe they probably have refused services.
even grocery store refused services, remember?
and the phone wasn't a iPhone.

3.
Mina's family is VERY conservative.
if she ran away with a boy in Iraq she could have stoned to death.
Sh might not have the gut to do anything.

=================================================
Here are my own question.

1.
Why the French court implement British law protecting British border?
At the trial after the trailer truck bust French speaking judge said he's implementing British law protecting British border.
If illegal wanna leave France French should be glad to get rid of'em.

2.
What England offer that France don't?
Why are illegals all eager to leave France to England?
What's so good waing'em in England..

3.
Is it really serious crime to talk, feed, house, befriend illegal?
If yes, that's s*itty law of France.
Shame on them.

4.
Why British returned the body to France?
It's not like France is his home or anything?

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

[–] bbraat 12 years ago

You should try to reply without being a sarcastic jackass.

"1. the money. - Hello? have you heard saving?"

Yes, I have heard of saving. Did you know one must have money first in order to save it? I don't see how an honest person was able to save that much money without income from the dole, a job, or rich relatives. If he had rich relatives he probably wouldn't be riding in the back of a truck.

"2. Internet - where would they get and keep a computer? if they have some sort of internet cafe they probably have refused services. "

Where there are customers there are businesses that will cater to them. There are lots of places in France (and the US) that will provide services to illegal aliens. Look around you.

[–] rwd999UK 13 years ago

1) He also hitched a lift under a train. Perhaps other means than walking. It is possible tow alk say 40 km per day every day done it for 35 days).
2) Limited access to landline (vide squabble by phone box, queue, one call only) and pay-as-you go Internet is not inexpensive.
3) He does speak some French. It slips out when staying with the old bloke.

As a matter of interest, I belive under EU law a person must apply for refugee status when they -first- arrive in the EU. If they do not, they become illegal.
The UK has the right to control its borders (it is not signatory to the Schengen agreement).

Frankly, I found the film tedious and gave up when the gold medal was found to be missing. The "hero" seemed a weak person. He let down his fellow travellers (OK, he says he was hooded for 8 days, etc), but he also hesitated to drop into the truck, or move away from the opening. He let others protect him. He let another use the shower which imperilled the Frenchman who was trying to protect him. He was never going to play for Man Utd (a fantasy at best, possibly a delusion). Sorry, he was a creap, imho.

Did the Frenhman protect the two illegals because it was a way of getting at his (soon to be ex) wife?

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] godard17 11 years ago

3.- Why not stay in France, learn french, tell the girlfriend to move with him (she is not an illegal immigrant, she can move at whim).

are you for real, alonsanfan? the girlfriend will be married off to a cousin. she cannot move at whim -- she is a victim of patriarchal culture.

[–] timlin-4 9 years ago

of course she can, but she doesn't want to leave a good thing. See the fate of girls who don't have strong families--they are lost. Most successful "independent women" have rich daddies

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] bricksnmortar82 7 years ago

It's not necessarily that her family are terribly controlling of her life (though I wouldn't doubt it). It's more that for a newly arrived immigrant/refugee, it can be quite a risk to pick up and leave your family, your only network of support in an unfamiliar environment, to cross a sea and live as an alien without a very good idea of where you'll find a roof, your next meal, medical care, etc...let alone income and a new support network.

It amazes me how simple some people assume a life of migration is...