‘Meet the Barbarians’ Review: Julie Delpy’s Middling Refugee Comedy Has Its Heart in the Right Place

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As a long-time fan and admirer of Julie Delpy’s work, I must say her latest film, “Meet the Barbarians,” is a testament to her versatility as an actress, writer, and director. With a career spanning over two decades and straddling both sides of the Atlantic, Delpy continues to astound us with her ability to switch genres effortlessly and collaborate with some of the most talented artists in the industry.

Actress-turned-filmmaker Julie Delpy has found a unique space in the film industry, spanning both American and European markets. Based in Los Angeles but primarily active in France, she collaborates with directors like Richard Linklater (the “Before” trilogy) as well as French stars such as Dany Boon (“Lolo”). Her work ranges from dramatic films like “The Countess” to comedies like “Le Skylab”, and back again to projects like “My Zoe”. Much like the complex characters she often portrays on screen, Delpy is hard to categorize.

Despite being her most French and political film so far, “Meet the Barbarians” (Les Barbares) might also be director’s least humorous work. It seems to veer towards stereotypes and caricatures in portraying a charming Breton village that takes in a Syrian family fleeing war. The movie carries a compassionate pro-immigrant message, which feels timely given today’s political climate. It is expected to perform best on home soil, premiering widely in mid-September after its showing at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Delpy plays the role of Joëlle, a progressive schoolteacher who champions the idea of welcoming a group of Ukrainian refugees into the tranquil, rural town of Paimpoint, nestled in the wet region of Brittany. However, as Ukrainians are already sought-after nationwide, there aren’t enough to accommodate the influx. Through secretive negotiations, Joëlle persuades the village to bring a Syrian family instead, causing an immediate backlash from the town’s more prejudiced residents.

The characters in question are a group of caricatured locals, displaying considerable prejudice and naivety – similar to the narrow-minded, rural French characters often seen in popular French comedies such as “Serial Bad Weddings” or the “Tuche” series. The humor in “Meet the Barbarians” largely stems from their silly behaviors. It’s not difficult to deduce that the ‘barbarians’ mentioned in the title are actually referring to these townspeople themselves, even though they might view their new Arab neighbors as barbarians.

Delpy effectively portrays the refugees, a family of intellectuals whose lives have been shattered by Bashar al-Assad’s prolonged and brutal conflict. Marwan (Ziad Bakri), an architect with aspirations to work again one day, leads them in their efforts to assimilate into the local community. They adapt by learning the language, taking on low-paying jobs, and maintaining patience despite widespread hostility. Unlike the French characters who often appear as caricatures — petty business owners, bigots, adulterers, or feeble politicians — the Syrian characters feel authentic and real.

The deliberate contrast in this production appears to be by Delpy’s design, yet it falls short of being humorous. Typically, Sandrine Kiberlain brings a good dose of humor, but she’s saddled with a largely ungrateful part here as an alcoholic grocer, whose husband (Mathieu Demy) is involved in an affair with the town butcher (Émilie Gavois-Kahn). A scene ensues where Kiberlain’s character retaliates with a massive blood sausage. Laurent Lafitte, playing a plumber aiming to prevent Syrians from permanently settling in Paimpoint, delivers some amusing lines. However, his character is so reprehensible that he embodies another stereotype: the racist, working-class French white man.

While it’s true that such people indeed exist in reality, and it’s well-known that France’s far-right National Rally party gains significant support from rural areas. The question, however, is whether these political realities can be made funny. However, Delpy appears to be overly focused on making a point rather than turning Meet the Barbarians into a comedic piece.

As a gamer, I’d say this movie really shines when it delves into deeper, more emotional moments. The bonding scene between Marwan and the town cop (Marc Fraize) over their shared love for French chansons was heartwarming and genuine. And let me tell you, the ending, while a bit predictable, hits hard with the raw emotion that unfolds when the plumber’s wife (India Hair) is left with no choice but to rely on Alma (Rita Hayek), a refugee who happens to be an experienced doctor. It’s moments like these that make the film truly resonate.

Despite Delpy’s efforts at wide-ranging satire in ‘Meet the Barbarians’, the film ultimately conveys a message that is brimming with optimism. Although it can be overly didactic and occasionally unrealistic, there’s an underlying intention to demonstrate how a refugee situation might actually be advantageous for all parties involved. Despite her frequent mockery and derision towards her fellow French, it seems that beneath the stereotyping, she harbors a wish for them to strive to be their best selves.

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2024-09-10 16:54