True North (2007)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

"True North" is about a fisherman boat, transporting illegal Chinese immigrants from Belgium to Scotland, because they need the money in their desperate situation. This movie is about cruel reality. It is one of those movies, which reminds me, that I live a comfortable live. This movie keeps you mesmerized from the beginning to the end. Throughout the movie my thoughts were "Oh no, please don't let that happen, please not that...", although of course I knew it is unavoidable. Because that is, what the movie is about in the first place. Although there are some moments of relief, beware, the story is desperately unhappy. It leaves a lump in your throat. At the end, when the camera zooms out, a shiver went through my spine and I had tears in my eyes. "True North" accomplishes this not just by storytelling alone. It is perfectly executed. The actors performances are superb, the camera gives you the impression of being on the ship, in the storm, better than for example in "The Perfect Storm". It all feels so real. It is a great movie.

I have just watched this film on television. I can only say that it was a very emotional ending. I would like everyone to remember this happens on a daily basis through out the world and we should pause for a moment to take in the enormity of it. However fictional it may be, this is a story that had to be told. I feel the writer may have developed the story before the cockle pickers from China died in England, factual. But to answer the person who posted that the film was too conveniently wrapped up at the end. The ending can still be compared to the reality of cheap labour being smuggled into a country successfully but still meeting a fatal ending. This film is a very honest portrayal of the fatal dangers involved in people smuggling. And although I originally thought it would be a reality check for people attempting leave their home for the promised land of the WEST. I have changed my mind because these people are intelligent enough to know that the hard place they are getting into is better than the rock they are currently under. It is still a honest account that the WEST is not all that it promises. I know anyone intelligent enough to watch this film will know that Scotland's people are not Chinese killers, however I still hope that people's judgement of Scotland is not affected by it. p.s. FAQ The young star of the film first starred in a film set in Inverclyde Scotland called Sweet Sixteen, and didn't Peter Mullen walk into a brothel called funnily enough Sweet Sixteen in Belgium, Only a thought...

If you enjoy a great character driven yarn then this film is a must see. If you yearn for Hollywood style action then just switch on your Sky box - everything you need will be there.Its hard to pigeon-hole this film in any specific genre. I imagine it will come under 'drama' or possibly 'thriller'. But quite simply its much more than either.The screenplay/script/acting/direction are all of the highest standard. If I was being honest I would have happily watched 2 hours of the main characters just chatting as the dialogue is exquisite at times. Its REAL banter. The humour is generated in the actors delivery of the line rather than the line itself.The premise of the film is very simple. An under-performing fishing trawler needs a rapid injection of cash. So the crew, unbeknown to the captain, take on board a couple of dozen illegal immigrants and attempt to smuggle them into Scotland for a large sum of said cash.This film is very insightful and ultimately very moving. When I sat down to watch this I didn't even have an outline of what the film was about so I was unprepared for what I was to experience. And I feel 'experience' is the right word. You are there cooped up in the cramped living conditions and poor weather. As the story chugs along you are there with it. It never leaves you behind or allows you to race ahead of it.Watch this film.10/10

The skipper (Gary Lewis) of the Scottish trawler PD-100 has worked for more than thirty-two years to buy his fishing vessel but is bankrupt and near to lose his ship to the bank. While in the port of Ostend, Belgium, his first mate and son Sean (Martin Compston) accepts a lot of money to smuggle Chinese illegal immigrants to Scotland to keep the trawler with his father. The crewman Riley (Peter Mullan) helps him in the scheme, and they hide the group in a store below the boatswain store. However, a Chinese teenager hides in the engine room, stealing food and leaving money in the galley. The cook (Steven Robertson), who is a little slow and has issues with sex, finds the stowaway (Angel Li) and helps her. Sean decides to stay longer in the North Sea to get catch and avoid problems with customs, leaving the immigrants in the most subhuman conditions. When one of the Chinese dies, despair is triggered leading the crew to tragic actions."True North" is a simple, but very cruel and heartbreaking story of despair and how far a human being can go under the pressure of a desperate situation. None of the characters is evil, but their attitudes under unexpected situation are scary. Sean has no concern with the immigrants, but in finding a way to avoid problems with the coastal authorities; the cold Riley has a touch of humanity with the terrible situation of the stowaways; the cook surprisingly protects the girl; and the captain has the most despicable procedure when he feels that he may lose his ship. The direction and the performances are awesome, and the screenplay is excellent. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Verdadeiro Norte" ("True North")