Meet the Barbarians is a charming French film that tackles relevant themes of xenophobia, exploring how life in the small town of Paimpont is affected when six Syrian refugees arrive instead of the Ukrainian refugees the townspeople were expecting. Though the film is light-hearted, it effectively balances a large ensemble of characters, creating funny and touching moments. For those unfamiliar with French cinema, it feels like the kind of movie you’d expect to watch in a French class, a film that’s accessible but also thought-provoking in its simplicity.
The movie is divided into chapters, each handling different characters and scenarios, making the runtime fly by. While not every subplot directly ties to the refugees, they collectively paint a vivid picture of life in the town. There are numerous romances, affairs, and old friendships, all intertwined in a close-knit community that suddenly faces the arrival of this new family. One character, whose behavior sometimes feels contrived, serves as the main source of conflict. Amusingly, this character, who doesn’t physically resemble the rest of the village (i.e., he’s not white), refers to himself and the townspeople as “we, the whites.”
A particularly sweet romance blossoms between the Syrian girl and a local boy, a storyline that could have benefited from more focus. By the end, all conflicts are neatly resolved, supported by a charming score and solid performances from the cast, including the always delightful Julie Delpy. While the film’s central themes could have pushed the audience more deeply, and its antagonist feels like a bit of a caricature, it still delivers an emotional impact, ending with a final shot that may bring a tear to your eye.
- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store
- Where to watch
Netflix
Play trailer
- Original title
- Les Barbares
- Director
- Julie Delpy
- Cast
- Julie Delpy, Sandrine Kiberlain, Laurent Lafitte, India Hair, Mathieu Demy, Ziad Bakri, Albert Delpy, Jean-Charles Clichet
- Screenwriter
- Julie Delpy, Matthieu Rumani, Nicolas Slomka
- Cinematography
- Georges Lechaptois
- Editor
- Camille Delprat
- Country
- Language
- French
- Box office
- $2.075 million