Syndetics cover image
Image from Syndetics

The visitor [videorecording] / Overture Films in association with Groundswell Productions and Participant Productions present ; a Next Wednesday production ; written and directed by Thomas McCarthy ; produced by Mary Jane Skalski, Michael London.

Contributor(s): Material type: FilmFilmPublisher number: DV80008 | Anchor Bay EntertainmentLanguage: English, Arabic, French Summary language: English Publication details: Burbank, CA : Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment, [2008]Description: 1 videodisc (104 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 inSubject(s): Genre/Form: Production credits:
  • Executive producer, Jeff Skoll ... [et al.]; director of photography, Oliver Bokelberg ; editor, Tom McArdle ; music, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek ; costume designer, Melissa Toth ; production designer, John Paino.
Cast: Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass, Marian Seldes, Maggie Moore, Michael Cumpsty, Bill McHenry, Richard Kind.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.
Audiovisual profile: Click to open in new window
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult DVD Adult DVD Northport Library DVD DRAMA Visitor Available 33111007864602
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A lonesome widower and college economics professor finds his mundane existence suddenly shaken up when he befriends a pair of illegal immigrants, one of whom has recently been threatened with deportation by U.S. immigration authorities, in the sophomore feature from The Station Agent director Tom McCarthy. Years after losing his wife, 62-year-old Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) has also lost his passion for writing and teaching. In an effort to fill the empty void that his life has become, Walter makes a half-hearted attempt to learn to play classical piano. Later, when Walter's college sends him to a conference in Manhattan, he is surprised to discover that a young couple has moved into his seldom-used apartment in the city. Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and his Senegalese girlfriend Zainab (Danai Gurira) have fallen victims to an elaborate real-estate scam, and as a result they no longer have a place to call home. When Walter reluctantly allows the couple to remain in his apartment, talented musician Tarek insists on repaying his host's kindness by teaching him to play the African drum. Over the course of Walter's lessons, the ageing academic finds his spirits revitalized while gaining a newfound appreciation for New York jazz clubs and Central Park drum circles. Later, Tarek is arrested in the subway and threatened with deportation after police learn that he is an undocumented citizen. Suddenly, in his attempt to help his new friend, Walter's passion for life is unexpectedly awakened. When Tarek's radiant mother Mouna (Hiam Abbass) arrives in the city in search of her son, that passion turns to romance -- something that Walter had previously thought he would never experience again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Special features: Playing the Djembe; "The visitor: an inside look" featurette; audio commentary with director Tom McCarthy and actor Richard Jenkins; deleted scenes.

Executive producer, Jeff Skoll ... [et al.]; director of photography, Oliver Bokelberg ; editor, Tom McArdle ; music, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek ; costume designer, Melissa Toth ; production designer, John Paino.

Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass, Marian Seldes, Maggie Moore, Michael Cumpsty, Bill McHenry, Richard Kind.

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.

MPAA rating: PG-13; for brief strong language.

DVD, NTSC; region 1, widescreen (1.85:1) and full frame presentations; Dolby Digital.

In English, Arabic and French with English subtitles; optional subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Powered by Koha