en
Hedi
The hero of the debut feature by the Tunisian director and screenwriter Mohamed Ben Attia is Hedi, an introvert young man, who is soon to marry a fair bride selected by his family. Suffering under his manipulative, hyper-protective mother, after encountering Rym, a liberal-minded dancer, he gradually plucks up the courage to stand up to conventions and his family’s expectations alike. A witty, sentiment-free film, revealing through insinuation the situation in the post-Arab Spring Tunisia more than many a political commentary, astounds with a highly mature form. Its consistently realistic, naturalistic even, tone clearly reflects the pencil of the co-producers – the celebrated Dardenne brothers. Following an interval of two decades, Attia’s unpretentious, deeply emotive blending of an emancipation love story and a socio-political allegory was the first work by an Arab director to have been included in Berlinale’s main competition and deservedly attained two major awards.
More informationAbout show
The hero of the debut feature by the Tunisian director and screenwriter Mohamed Ben Attia is Hedi, an introvert young man, who is soon to marry a fair bride selected by his family. Suffering under his manipulative, hyper-protective mother, after encountering Rym, a liberal-minded dancer, he gradually plucks up the courage to stand up to conventions and his family’s expectations alike. A witty, sentiment-free film, revealing through insinuation the situation in the post-Arab Spring Tunisia more than many a political commentary, astounds with a highly mature form. Its consistently realistic, naturalistic even, tone clearly reflects the pencil of the co-producers – the celebrated Dardenne brothers. Following an interval of two decades, Attia’s unpretentious, deeply emotive blending of an emancipation love story and a socio-political allegory was the first work by an Arab director to have been included in Berlinale’s main competition and deservedly attained two major awards.
