Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (Welcome to the Sticks)

Film

First published on 2 Oct 2008. Updated on 5 Oct 2009.

Comic writer-director Dany Boon’s non-PC, supposedly heartwarming farce trades on French regional prejudices that may bemuse audiences here. Provençal postmaster Philippe (the discombobulated but bonhomous Merad) is posted north after impersonating the disabled in order to procure a sought-after Côte d’Azur transfer. He finds himself sentenced to two years among the burghers of Bergues, south of Dunkirk. Initially expecting a cold reception – as his well-travelled uncle has told him it’s a community of retarded coal miners existing in -50C temperatures – Philippe warms to the dietary and dialectically challenged locals (notably Boon’s ingénue, Antoine). But will Philippe’s sun-worshipping son and spouse respond as positively to the land of frost, friendship and fricadelle-et-frites? (Wally Hammond)

Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis trailer (YouTube)