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Red Path film image; boy saying something into another boy's ear

Red Path

Les enfants rouges

Vanguard

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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

Director
Cast

Ali Helali, Yassine Samouni, Wided Dabebi, Jemii Lamari, Latifa Gafsi, Salha Nasraoui, Younes Naouar

Credits
Country of Origin

Tunisia/France/Belgium/
Poland

Year

2024

Language

In Arabic with English subtitles

Film Contact
Links
Content Warning

Child abuse, graphic violence

18+
97 min
Drama Family Relations Human Rights & Social Justice Q&As at VIFF
APA : Artistes Producteurs Associés, La Luna Productions, La Luna Productions, Shipsboy

Book Tickets

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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 headshot; Red Path director

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)

 

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