North American Premiere
Inspired by recent terrorist atrocities in the Mghila Mountains of Northwest Tunisia, this chilling drama centers on Achraf, a 13-year-old boy who witnesses the brutal killing of his cousin and is forced to relay the message to the victim’s family. The event shakes the small community of shepherds to their core, with the missing body adding to the angst and heartache as they debate how to give the victim a decent burial.
In his second feature outing (after Burning Hope), co-writer and director Lotfi Achour firmly establishes his cinematic footprint, demonstrating a sophisticated tonal register tinged with touches of magical realism that allow him to mine for moments of profound dignity and visual elegance amidst the prevailing grief and despair. Ali Helali is remarkable in the role of a boy faced with reconciling his community’s expectations, all the while trying to process a deeply scarring experience.
Sept 28 & 29: Q&A with director Lotfi Achour
Presented by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Ali Helali, Yassine Samouni, Wided Dabebi, Jemii Lamari, Latifa Gafsi, Salha Nasraoui, Younes Naouar
Tunisia/France/Belgium/
Poland
2024
In Arabic with English subtitles
Child abuse, graphic violence
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Producer
Anissa Daoud, Sébastien Hussenot, Lotfi Achour
Screenwriter
Natacha de Pontcharra, Lotfi Achour
Cinematography
Wojciech Staron
Editor
Ewin Ryckaert, Malek Chatta
Production Design
Mohamed Mouhli
Original Music
Venceslas Catz, Jawhar Basti
Lotfi Achour
Born in Tunis, Lotfi Achour is an author, director, and producer. He trained at the Grenoble Conservatory and studied theater and cinema at the Sorbonne Institute of Theatrical Studies. He has directed four short films, including La laine sur le dos (2016), which was nominated in the short film category at the 69th Cannes Film Festival. His films have participated in numerous international festivals and have garnered over 450 awards.
Filmography: Burning Hope (2016)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Amadou & Mariam: The Blind Couple From Mali
This lovely portrait of the irresistible Malian musicians traces how the blind couple met in Bamako and instantly connected, their triumphs on the world stage and collaborations with the likes of Chris Martin, Damon Albarn and Manu Chao.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
Before Sunrise
An American backpacker (Ethan Hawke) meets a French girl (Julie Delpy) on the train to Vienna. They decide to spend the next 14 hours together until it's time for his flight. They walk and talk. This brief encounter will mark the rest of their lives.
Mistura
This foodie film from Peru tells the story of a newly single socialite reinventing herself — and the local cuisine — after her husband has left her for a younger woman. Along the way, she finds support from unexpected places...
