Welcome to the Sticks

Bergues is a northern town near Dunkirk, shown as cold and rainy but home to a warm, informal community. Salon-de-Provence serves as Philippe's southern base and the initial setting of his job at La Poste. Sanary-sur-Mer and Porquerolles represent the Mediterranean coast the family yearns for, while Bergues offers a different rhythm of life that challenges Philippe's stereotypes. The film uses these places to contrast regional identities and reveal the power of community belonging.

🤝 Belonging

The North's Bergues welcomes Philippe with openness that clashes with his preconceived ideas. Through daily chats, beers, and shared tasks, the locals demonstrate how a community can shelter a stranger and prove that warmth transcends stereotypes. The evolving friendships help Philippe reframe his identity beyond his job and ambitions. The theme underscores the film's message that true belonging comes from people, not places.

🎭 Deception

Philippe's ruse about being disabled triggers a team effort to stage a benign deception that protects his marriage. What starts as a lie becomes a communal performance that reveals kindness, loyalty, and the cost of deceit. The deception exposes the fragility of relationships and the ultimate need for honesty.

💪 Courage

Antoine finds his voice and steps out from under his mother's controlling presence to pursue Annabelle. The arc shows that courage can emerge from humor and vulnerability, and that asserting one's feelings can change life trajectories. The moment when he proposes at the bell tower marks a turning point in his self-confidence.

💕 Love and Family

The film threads romantic and familial bonds through multiple arcs: Philippe's reconciliation with Bergues' warmth, Antoine and Annabelle's evolving relationship, and Julie's willingness to join Philippe northward. The ending consolidates a new family configuration as they move to Porquerolles, with tears signaling both farewell and hope. The story suggests that love and adaptation can bridge regional divides.