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Euan Kerr
St. Paul, Minn.

Director examines the human side of immigration

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Drumming
In "The Visitor" Walter (Richard Jenkins) finds a new passion in drumming with the help of Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) who convinces him to join a drumming group.
Image coutesy Participant Films

Film director Tom McCarthy made the indie hit "The Station Agent" a few years ago, and now is drawing raves for his new film "The Visitor."

It's the story of Walter, a disillusioned economics professor who finds two illegal immigrants living in his New York apartment. They are a Syrian musician Tarek and his Senegalese girlfriend Zainab. As Walter learns about them, and their situation, his life, and theirs, change.

Tom McCarthy
Tom McCarthy, who once worked as an actor in the Twin Cities, broke out as a writer director with "The Station Agent." His new film "The Visitor" examines immigration abd the interaction between different communities in the US today.
MPR photo/Euan Kerr

McCarthy introduced the film when it opened the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. It was his first trip to the Twin Cities since he worked here as an actor in the 1990's.

He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr "The Visitor" grew out of a visit he took to Lebanon to show "The Station Agent."

Gallery
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Zainab
Macalester College graduate Danai Guiria plays Zainab, one of the immigrants Walter finds living in his apartment.
Image courtesy Participant Films
1 of 3
Mouna
Walter (Richard Jenkins) and Mouna Khalil (Hiam Abbass) become friends as they try to deal with Mouna's son Tarek's immigration problems.
Image courtesy Participant Films
2 of 3
Drumming
In "The Visitor" Walter (Richard Jenkins) finds a new passion in drumming with the help of Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) who convinces him to join a drumming group.
Image coutesy Participant Films