Welcome to the Sticks (Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis) is a 2008 French comedy film directed by Dany Boon. It became one of France’s most successful films ever, both commercially and culturally, breaking box office records and charming audiences with its warm humor, regional satire, and emotional core. The film balances broad comedy with heartfelt moments, turning stereotypes about northern France into a touching story about friendship and belonging.
Detailed Summary
Opening: A Man with Ambition
The movie begins with Philippe Abrams (played by Kad Merad), a friendly post office manager living in the south of France. He dreams of being transferred to a more prestigious location on the French Riviera, like Cannes or Saint-Tropez. However, his plans go hilariously wrong when he attempts to cheat his way into a transfer by pretending to be disabled—an act that backfires dramatically when he’s caught.
As punishment, Philippe is reassigned to a post office in Bergues, a small town in the north of France. To him, this is a fate worse than death. He envisions it as a freezing, miserable wasteland inhabited by backward people with incomprehensible accents—the infamous Ch’tis.
The Arrival in Bergues
When Philippe arrives, his worst fears seem confirmed. The locals speak with a thick northern dialect, and the cold weather hits him like a slap. He’s greeted by his new colleague, Antoine Bailleul (played by Dany Boon), an eccentric but warm-hearted postal worker who lives with his overprotective mother. Antoine becomes Philippe’s guide through the strange customs and culture of the Ch’tis.
The comedy in this part of the film relies heavily on miscommunication, cultural misunderstandings, and exaggerated southern stereotypes about the north. But slowly, Philippe begins to realize that the people of Bergues are kind, generous, and full of life.
Discovering the Real North
As time passes, Philippe starts enjoying his new environment. The food is hearty, the beer is strong, and the people are welcoming. He forms genuine friendships with Antoine and other locals, discovering that the Ch’tis are far from the depressing image people from the south imagine.
Meanwhile, Philippe’s wife, Julie, remains in the south, believing he’s suffering in exile. Philippe, not wanting to admit that he’s actually enjoying himself, lies to her in letters and phone calls, pretending life in the north is miserable. This deception sets up the film’s funniest and most touching conflicts.
Complications and Secrets
Antoine, meanwhile, has a complicated love life. He’s still in love with Annabelle, his ex-girlfriend, but his mother’s constant interference prevents him from moving on. Philippe decides to play matchmaker, encouraging Antoine to stand up to his mother and rekindle his romance.
As Philippe becomes more deeply integrated into the community, he organizes events, participates in local traditions, and truly becomes part of the town’s heart. His transformation is complete—he no longer sees the north as a punishment but as home.
Movie Ending
Philippe’s double life finally catches up with him. His wife Julie, worried about his supposed suffering, decides to move to Bergues to be with him. Panicking, Philippe enlists the entire town to act as if they’re living in misery so his lie won’t be exposed. The residents, always eager to help, put on a ridiculous act—pretending to be gloomy, unfriendly, and downtrodden whenever Julie is around.
However, Julie quickly realizes the truth: Bergues is a lovely place, and Philippe has been lying. Instead of being angry, she’s moved by how much her husband has changed. She falls in love with the town just as he did.
Meanwhile, Antoine reconciles with Annabelle after finally standing up to his mother. The movie ends with a joyful, emotional tone—Antoine and Annabelle together, Philippe and Julie happily settled, and everyone celebrating life in Bergues.
The final scenes emphasize the film’s main message: prejudice and stereotypes dissolve when people truly get to know each other. Philippe is eventually transferred back south, but leaving Bergues feels like leaving his real home. The last shots show him driving away with tears in his eyes—a bittersweet but heartwarming farewell.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Welcome to the Sticks does not have any post-credits scenes. The movie concludes with its heartfelt ending, followed by closing credits that celebrate the warmth of the community, leaving no hidden scenes afterward.
Type of Movie
This film is a comedy-drama (or “dramedy”) that blends regional satire, feel-good humor, and social commentary. It’s a story about stereotypes, empathy, and how friendship can bridge cultural divides.
Cast
- Kad Merad as Philippe Abrams
- Dany Boon as Antoine Bailleul
- Zoé Félix as Julie Abrams
- Anne Marivin as Annabelle Deconninck
- Line Renaud as Antoine’s mother
- Philippe Duquesne as Fabrice Canoli
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Philippe Rombi, whose gentle, melodic themes perfectly match the film’s emotional tone. The soundtrack balances humor with sincerity, reflecting the warmth and charm of northern France.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Bergues, a real town in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. The decision to shoot on location was crucial to the film’s authenticity. After the movie’s release, Bergues became a tourist attraction, with fans visiting to see the real-life streets and post office featured in the film.
Awards and Nominations
- César Awards 2009 – Nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Dany Boon)
- European Film Awards – Nominated for the People’s Choice Award
- Lumières Awards – Won Best Screenplay
Although it didn’t dominate major awards, its cultural impact and box office success were enormous—it became one of the highest-grossing French films of all time.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Dany Boon, the director, is actually from the north of France and wanted to celebrate his region’s culture.
- The “Ch’ti” dialect used in the film is real, and actors had to train to pronounce it correctly.
- The production boosted tourism in Bergues so much that the town had to set up visitor tours.
- The movie’s script went through multiple revisions to make sure the humor didn’t rely too heavily on mocking regional stereotypes.
- The success of the film inspired remakes, including the Italian Welcome to the South and a German adaptation.
Inspirations and References
The movie draws heavily from regional French culture and the real linguistic and cultural divide between northern and southern France. Dany Boon wanted to challenge the negative clichés about the north and show it as a warm, vibrant, and community-oriented place.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The film’s ending remained mostly the same in all versions, but there were small deleted scenes that provided extra comic moments, such as extended sequences of Philippe adjusting to the cold and misunderstandings over the Ch’ti dialect. None changed the main story’s outcome.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not based on a book, but its immense popularity led to several novelizations and remakes in different countries. Each version adapts the cultural differences to its own regional context—for instance, the Italian remake contrasts the industrial north with the rural south.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Philippe’s first day in Bergues, where he’s drenched by rain and terrified by the locals’ accent.
- Antoine’s mother yelling at him from the window—an unforgettable comedic moment.
- The “pretend misery” scene when Philippe tries to fool his wife.
- The final farewell, where Philippe drives away with tears, realizing how much he’ll miss his friends.
Iconic Quotes
- Philippe: “People of the North have a reputation for being cold, but their hearts are warmer than anywhere else.”
- Antoine: “When you cry up North, your tears freeze before they fall.”
- Julie: “You lied to me about everything… except how happy you are.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The “Ch’ti language” signs in the town are authentic and were left up after filming.
- Dany Boon appears briefly in several crowd scenes beyond his main role.
- Many of the extras were actual residents of Bergues.
- The post office in the film is based on the real one in Bergues, which later became a local landmark.
Trivia
- The film grossed over $245 million worldwide, an unprecedented figure for a French-language movie.
- Dany Boon was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor partly due to the film’s cultural impact.
- There’s a small cameo by Boon’s real-life wife, Yaël Harris, in the film’s café scene.
- The film was so beloved in France that politicians even referenced it in debates about national unity.
Why Watch?
Welcome to the Sticks is a feel-good comedy that goes beyond laughs—it’s a heartfelt look at human connection and breaking down prejudices. With its mix of humor, emotion, and regional charm, it’s a film that will make you laugh, tear up, and maybe even want to visit northern France yourself.
Director’s Other Movies
- Nothing to Declare (2010)
- Supercondriaque (2014)
- Radin! (2016)
- La Ch’tite Famille (2018)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Amélie (2001)
- The Intouchables (2011)
- The Visitors (1993)
- My Best Friend (2006)
- Serial Bad Weddings (2014)
