18-year-old Alyssa (Eya Bellagha), residing in Tunis, juggles numerous family obligations alongside her aspirations to journey across Europe. Her elderly neighbor Mehdi (Slim Baccar), a gifted artist struggling financially as art isn’t profitable enough, becomes an integral part of her life. The profound bond that emerges between these characters forms the heart of Amel Guellaty’s directorial debut, which premiered in the World Dramatic Competition segment at Sundance. Titled “Where the Wind Comes From,” this visually captivating film skillfully explores numerous themes within the minimalist structure of a road trip narrative.
Without Mehdi knowing, Alyssa secretly enters him into an art competition in the town of Djerba next door. The grand prize is a journey to Germany. Although traveling is her dream rather than his, Mehdi agrees to Alyssa’s eagerness. Together they must find ways to arrange transportation and finance their trip. Along the way, they discover much about themselves and each other. Guellaty skillfully portrays his characters without forcing them, giving them room to develop naturally. By the end of the two-day movie, viewers come to appreciate both the characters and the world they inhabit. Despite its humble goals, the film effectively unfolds a lifetime’s worth of experiences for each character.
The novel ‘Where the Wind Comes From’ serves multiple purposes: it delves into the characters, presents a snapshot of contemporary Tunisia, and is a tribute to the country’s youth following the Arab Spring. The period around the mid-2010s was marked by optimism but ended up delivering more struggles than solutions for this generation, as they grapple with political and economic issues. Alyssa and Mehdi embody these challenges, striving to move forward despite moments when progress seems unattainable.
Guellaty employs various techniques to depict the contrasting feelings within her story. Alyssa’s frequent daydreaming is expressed through whimsical musical sequences, where mundane settings transform into vibrant landscapes filled with joy. For Mehdi, whose personality is more reserved, Guellaty brings his drawings to life. The soundtrack is a blend of well-known classic Arab tunes and modern Tunisian music. These scenes can either be literal dreams or insights into the socioeconomic circumstances of the main characters and the people they interact with. Regardless of their purpose, Guellaty keeps these fantastical elements rooted in the characters’ realities, providing humor and amusement for the audience.
Bellagha takes on an energetic and intricate part and dives in headfirst. Alyssa is constantly in motion, brimming with creativity. She only remains still when she’s lost in thought. Bellagha injects her acting with a high level of vigor and life force, imbuing the film with an intense, unpredictable atmosphere. Her character appears self-centered and focused solely on herself at first glance, but as the story unfolds, we discover that she is carrying the burden of her family’s sorrow beneath the surface. When Alyssa unwinds to dance with a woman or playfully spar with her younger sibling, Bellagha reveals the compassion hidden behind the bravado.
Instead, Baccar plays his role with a more restrained approach. Compared to Alyssa, Mehdi moves at a slower pace. He’s meticulous and deliberate in his actions. When he’s seated, he seldom stirs, but speaks softly and sparingly. It takes persuasion to elicit emotion from him. The actor portrays the character in an unassuming yet appealing way that allows viewers to perceive the potential Alyssa recognizes in him. Both actors and characters work harmoniously together – not in the usual dynamic of contrasting temperaments, but by fostering a comfortable camaraderie.
In essence, ‘Where the Wind Comes From’ is a tale centered around friendship. Yet, Guellaty enriches it with various profound topics, such as deep-rooted misogyny in society and across generations, and the hard truth that being an artist is now largely confined to the wealthy. By the film’s end, its depth and significance become apparent.
Read More
- “I’m a little irritated by him.” George Clooney criticized Quentin Tarantino after allegedly being insulted by him
- South Korea Delays Corporate Crypto Account Decision Amid Regulatory Overhaul
- Destiny 2: When Subclass Boredom Strikes – A Colorful Cry for Help
- What was the biggest anime of 2024? The popularity of some titles and lack of interest in others may surprise you
- Sonic 3 Just Did An Extremely Rare Thing At The Box Office
- ‘We Will Rebuild L.A.’: Rams Players Celebrate First Responders at Relocated NFL Wild Card Game Against Minnesota Vikings
- An American Guide to Robbie Williams
- George Folsey Jr., Editor and Producer on John Landis Movies, Dies at 84
- Deep Rock Galactic: The Synergy of Drillers and Scouts – Can They Cover Each Other’s Backs?
- Not only Fantastic Four is coming to Marvel Rivals. Devs nerf Jeff’s ultimate
2025-02-01 02:16