The visitor [blu-ray] / Groundswell Productions ; Next Wednesday Productions ; Participant Productions ; produced by Michael London, Mary Jane Skalski, Jeff Skoll ; written by Thomas McCarthy ; directed by Thomas McCarthy.
Blu-ray disc. Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass. Originally released as a motion picture in 2007. Special features: Playing the Djembe; "The visitor: an inside look" featurette; audio commentary with director Tom McCarthy and actor Richard Jenkins; deleted scenes.
Summary:
Walter Vale is a widower who teaches economics at a Connecticut university. He lives alone and is no longer motivated by his work. In New York to present a paper at a conference, he goes to the apartment that he has not visited in some time, but has kept since his wife was alive, only to discover a young couple living there. Despite their great cultural differences, Walter befriends Tarek, a Syrian citizen and drummer, and gradually builds a friendship with Esi, his girlfriend from Senegal. One day, when returning from Central Park with Walter, Tarek is arrested for jumping a stuck subway turnstile, despite the fact that he had paid. The police discover he does not have legal papers and transfer him to an immigrant detention center in Queens. Feeling responsible for and connected to Tarek, Walter decides to stay in New York to help and support him. Not hearing from her son, Tarek's mother arrives from Michigan to find out why, and she and Walter support one another while they attempt to free Tarek.
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