Julie Delpy’s ‘Meet the Barbarians’: A poignant comedy on culture clash
A fresh take on cultural integration
French-American actor and director Julie Delpy has a knack for exploring cultural clashes in her films. Her previous works, such as “Two Days in Paris” and “Two Days in New York,” have delved into these themes with a comedic touch. However, her latest film, Meet the Barbarians, takes a more poignant approach, focusing on the journey of a Syrian family seeking refuge in a small village in Northern France.
Set in the picturesque town of Paimpont in Brittany, the film captures the town’s preparations to welcome Ukrainian refugees. However, the arrival of Syrian refugees instead of Ukrainians stirs tension among the locals, challenging their liberal beliefs and testing their hospitality.
A heartfelt narrative
Meet the Barbarians marks Delpy’s return to feature films after her stint with the Netflix series “On the Verge.” The film, which is being sold by Charades at the Venice Film Festival and will also screen at the Toronto Film Festival, features a stellar cast including Ziad Bakri, India Hair, and Mathieu Demy.
Delpy not only directed and penned the script but also stars as Joelle, a progressive schoolteacher who, along with her devoted friend (played by Sandrine Kiberlain), strives to make the Syrian family feel at home despite the bigotry of some neighbors, such as the plumber Hervé (played by Laurent Lafitte). The film beautifully portrays how both sides gradually warm up to each other, learning and growing in the process.
A comedy with a cause
Delpy began conceptualizing the film around 2012 when the Syrian war broke out. She was deeply moved by the plight of people escaping violence and seeking asylum. While the refugee crisis has often been depicted in dramas, Delpy chose to approach it through comedy to make the story more accessible to a broader audience.
“My first instinct was, ‘This is horribly sad and heartbreaking.’ And my second was, ‘How do I reach people that are not necessarily easily reached by this subject matter?'” Delpy explains. The answer, she found, was comedy.
The script took a significant turn with the onset of the war in Ukraine. Delpy was struck by the stark difference in the world’s response to Ukrainian refugees compared to Syrian refugees. This disparity added a new layer to the film, highlighting the complexities and biases within the refugee crisis.
A universal story
Despite its comedic tone, Meet the Barbarians is grounded in thorough research on the experiences of Syrian refugees in France. Delpy collaborated with Matthieu Rumani, Nicolas Slomka, and Léa Doménach to craft a script that reflects the diverse and unique stories of refugees.
The film doesn’t shy away from making fun of bigots and social justice activists alike. Delpy, who identifies as highly progressive, acknowledges the nuances of the “woke” culture, especially living in Los Angeles. “I’m surrounded by woke,” she says. “And listen, some of it is great because it’s important, obviously, to be open-minded and stuff. And the truth is, I’ve been raised by parents who are so open-minded.”
Future projects and reflections
When asked about the possibility of making a similar film centered on immigration in the U.S., Delpy notes that it would be a very different story. “Because, first of all, there are guns everywhere. So it lasts five minutes. Everyone gets shot,” she jokes. “No, I’m exaggerating. But it would be very different.”
Delpy has also attempted to write a satirical film set in the U.S. about politics, but it never came to fruition. Despite the challenges, she remains passionate about telling stories that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
Fans of Delpy’s work often wonder if she will reunite with Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater for another installment in the “Before” series. While the trio has previously delivered critically acclaimed films like ”Before Midnight,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Sunrise,” Delpy reveals that they haven’t found the right idea for a new film. “The idea that was thrown around was about my character dying of cancer, and I thought it would be not exactly… Actually, I think Richard and Ethan agreed as well that it didn’t feel like the right thing.”
For Delpy, the “Before” series is a study of relationships at different stages of life. ”If my character is dying of cancer, it becomes another story, like a sensationalist love story,” she says.
Watch the trailer
For those eager to dive into the world of Meet the Barbarians, you can watch the trailer here.
Meet the Barbarians is a testament to Julie Delpy’s ability to blend humor with heartfelt storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on the refugee experience. Through her unique lens, Delpy invites audiences to reflect on their own beliefs and biases, making this film a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts.