Director examines the human side of immigration

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."