The Visitor

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 2007, 103 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

Walter gives the impression of being an incompetent teacher: he’s been teaching a single course for years, he dismisses his students with indifference and prepares his teaching materials simply by changing the dates on his handouts. But life is too complex for such a curt condemnation, as not only audiences will realise in their appraisal of the seemingly apathetic Walter, but also the protagonist himself when a relationship develops between Walter and the two illegal immigrants he finds in his New York flat. As Walter learns of their motivations and ambitions he discovers that an immigrant is more than a mere government statistic. Who deserves to become a citizen of the Land of Opportunity? In the seclusive world post-9/11, who is the visitor and who is the host, in fact? The things we read about in the news look different when we are personally involved in them. And that is exactly what The Visitor explores through its dramatic tale of a most unlikely meeting and a friendship which is all the more sincere.

About the director

Tom McCarthy (b. 1969, New Jersey, USA) is an American actor who has performed in a number of serials (Boston Public, The Wire) and films as well, such as Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), Syriana (2005) and Flags of Our Fathers (2006). He debuted as a director and screenwriter with the film The Station Agent (2003) which premiered at the Sundance Festival and won the Audience Award. Among others, the film also won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay and received the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. In 2006 it was also screened at the KVIFF in the section “Sundance at Karlovy Vary”. The Visitor is McCarthy’s second film.