Erige Sehiri’s ‘Promised Sky’ Debuts Trailer Ahead of Premiere in Cannes as Luxbox Launches Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

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The trailer for “Promised Sky,” a film directed by the French-Tunisian director Erige Sehiri, was unveiled. This movie made its world premiere in Cannes‘ Un Certain Regard section. Luxbox is responsible for worldwide sales, and French distribution will be handled by Jour2Fête.

In 2022, Sehiri’s latest movie, titled “Under the Fig Trees,” screened during the Directors’ Fortnight event at Cannes, and it was chosen as Tunisia’s entry for the 2023 Oscars.

The story ‘Promised Sky’ centers around Marie, a long-time resident Ivorian pastor and ex-journalist living in Tunisia. Her dwelling serves as a sanctuary for Naney, a determined young mother yearning for a brighter tomorrow, and Jolie, a resilient student who embodies her family’s aspirations. The unexpected arrival of a small orphaned child tests their bonds in a strained societal context, showcasing their vulnerabilities as well as their resilience.”

“In ‘Promised Sky’, we follow the life of Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist who has dwelled in Tunisia for a decade. Her household becomes a sanctuary for Naney, a hopeful young mother, and Jolie, a determined student carrying her family’s dreams. The appearance of a young orphaned child puts their unity to the test amidst a tense social atmosphere, highlighting both their weaknesses and fortitude.

The screenplay is by Sehiri, Anna Ciennik and Malika Cécile Louati.

Speaking as a Tunisian woman, Sehiri expresses her disappointment that we, as a nation with a vast diaspora, struggle to offer migrants the respect and dignity they deserve. It’s disheartening because it seems as though we forget that we all inhabit the same African continent, sharing common roots as Africans.

The political climate in Tunisia regarding migration has become increasingly strained as of late. Sehiri remarks: “Initially, I had no plans to record events in Tunisia, but eventually, the film started reflecting the nation’s political landscape. The narrative we created found itself intertwined with real-life happenings.

As mass arrests and raids occur throughout Tunisia, we pondered: how can we infuse the atmosphere of tension into our narrative without stereotyping our characters? We aimed to maintain some perspective on the situation, avoiding any unintentional violence portrayed on screen. We desired to show these women living their lives, despite the challenges they face.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that the stunning visuals in this film are the work of Frida Marzouk. She’s no stranger to creating breathtaking images, having collaborated with Abdellatif Kechiche on “Blue Is the Warmest Color” (2013), and more recently, with Lina Soualem for her documentary “Bye Bye Tiberias” (2023).

The performers consist of Aissa Maiga, Debora Lobe Naney, Laetitia Ky, Estelle Kenza Dogbo, Foued Zaazaa, Mohamed Grayaa, and Toure Blamassi.

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This group of actors features Aïssa Maiga, Debora Lobe Naney, Laetitia Ky, Estelle Kenza Dogbo, Foued Zaazaa, Mohamed Grayaa, and Touré Blamassi.

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Among the stars you’ll see are Aissa Maiga, Debora Lobe Naney, Laetitia Ky, Estelle Kenza Dogbo, Foued Zaazaa, Mohamed Grayaa, and Toure Blamassi.

This production is brought to you by Didar Domehri and Erige Sehiri from Maneki Films and Henia Production. Alongside them, Canal+ acts as a co-producer. The project is collaboratively made in association with Mad Solutions and Pathé Touch Afrique, and with the involvement of TV5 Monde.

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2025-05-11 13:21