WHERE THE WIND COMES FROM

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In Tunisia, as in much of the world these days, there are increasingly fewer opportunities for young people, especially those not part of the elite. In Where the Wind Comes From, her feature debut, director Amel Guellaty follows besties Alyssa and Mehdi as they go on a road trip, with the chance to escape their bleak prospects as the final prize. Stunningly photographed (courtesy of cinematographer Frida Marzouk, My Driver & I), the movie offers hope and despair alike in its meditation on class, culture, and friendship.
19-year-old Alyssa (Eya Bellagha) is a bit of a rebel, not yet ready to accept any potential offers of marriage and settle for less. Her ailing mother can barely take care of herself. In addition, Alyssa has a younger sister, Zeineb, who has become mostly her responsibility. Not happy with what appears to lie ahead, she dreams of getting a visa and moving to France, her country’s recent colonial master.
23-year-old Mehdi (Slim Baccar) went to college for IT, but his real passion is drawing. Still, he’d take a job in his field, if only he could find one. So when Alyssa learns of an art competition happening on the island of Djerba and proposes that he submit, he accepts, if reluctantly. What else is he going to do with his time? And the prize is a voyage to Germany, which is close to France.
Unfortunately, Djerba is hardly next door to Tunis, where they live, and money is an issue. This proves only a temporary obstacle, as the intrepid Alyssa has her ways, even if they involve stealing a car from a would-be suitor (who is also a local gangster). But whatever the wisdom of her methods, the two friends are soon traveling south, enjoying each other’s company and imagining what they’ll do if Mehdi wins.
Though they share a close intimacy, they are not lovers, which is part of what makes Where the Wind Comes From special. It’s refreshing to have such a bond explored without a hint of romance, even if everyone they meet along their journey assumes they are together. Still, the relationship is tested more than once, since nothing goes quite as planned.
Guellaty uses the plot to examine social divisions within her country, including those created by religion. At one point, the happy-go-lucky vibe veers towards danger, courtesy of conservative rural folks taking exception to Alyssa’s mode of dress. It’s a reminder that freedom is often a provocation, exacerbated by scarcity of resources.
Though the tale ends on a bittersweet note, the experience of watching our protagonists learn important lessons and emerge stronger than before elevates their odyssey to a higher level. The added value of the gorgeous images populating the background make the visual appeal of the movie as strong as its narrative. Wherever the wind comes from, it blows powerfully towards us.
– Christopher Llewellyn Reed (@ChrisReedFilm)