Where the Wind Comes From

The lively Alyssa and the reserved Mehdi, both in their early twenties, are best friends with big dreams: she wants to make it abroad, while he hopes to establish himself as an illustrator in Tunisia. When they hear about an art competition on Djerba whose grand prize is a stay in Germany, their dreams suddenly seem within reach. What follows is a road trip across an unfamiliar Tunisia – a country as fascinating as it is socially stifling.

With playful ease, Amel Guellaty’s feature debut portrays the drive of a generation confronting the disappointing legacy of the Arab Spring with imagination, humor, and improvisation. Mehdi’s drawings subtly come to life, Alyssa’s imagination adds gentle surreal touches, and Arabic indie music carries the duo through the landscape.