Where the Wind Comes From
Alyssa, a rebellious 19-year-old girl, and her friend Mehdi, an introverted 23-year-old man, use their imagination to escape their unpromising reality. When they discover a contest in the south of Tunisia that may allow them to flee, they undertake a road trip regardless of the obstacles in their way.
Director Amel Guellaty offers us a window into a side of Tunisia we have rarely seen, imbuing the world of her charming debut feature with surreal visual flourishes that transform and brighten everyday moments. Eya Bellagha and Slim Baccar have undeniable chemistry as Alyssa and Mehdi, organically capturing the crossfire banter of their friendship as well as their shared struggle to break free from the responsibilities and restrictions that hold them back from pursuing their dreams. Their unexpectedly chaotic journey to Djerba is underscored by a thoughtful comedic touch and a hypnotic indie soundtrack from the region.
With creativity, warmth, and spirit, Where the Wind Comes From honors Tunisian youth while recognizing the uncertain road that lies ahead of them.
Festivals & awards
Sundance Film Festival 2025
San Francisco International Film Festival
Credits
In cinemas
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Pully
St. Gallen
Uster
ZĂĽrich
Pro Material
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More about this movie in our magazine
«Jeder Mensch hat Fantasie, unabhängig von seinem Hintergrund»
Die tunesische Regisseurin Amel Guellaty über ihr Spielfilmdebüt «Where the Wind Comes From».
Träume der Jugend
Verspielt und zugleich von tiefer Sehnsucht durchzogen erzählt «Where the Wind Comes From» von einer tunesischen Jugend, die träumt – vom Aufbruch, vom Anderswo, von besseren Chancen.
Press voices
«Guellaty’s script finds the internal wisdom that the road can help unlock in ourselves.» RogerEbert
«A buoyant, glowing portrait of youthful dreamy, defiant plunges.» High on Films
«Le portrait d'une génération qui veut se réinventer.» Cineuropa
«A character study, a portrait of modern Tunisia and an ode to the country’s youth post-Arab Spring, all at once.» Variety
«A powerful emotional drama.» Loud And Clear
«...realizing how special it might be to have a platonic soulmate.» City Weekly
«Je voulais montrer que les jeunes se battent, mais sans dramatiser. Je voulais faire une comédie où l’on puisse voir leur créativité, leur énergie.» Amel Guellaty