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Mohamed Ben Attia’s latest film, “Behind the Mountains,” showcases a bold departure from his previous acclaimed works, “Hedi” and “Dear Son,” by incorporating a fantastical component into his signature social realist style. While the final act may have some narrative shortcomings, the movie ultimately delivers a moving story about the intricacies of a father-son relationship. Through a blend of reality and fantasy, the film explores the complexities of human connections and the desire for escapism.
Original Title: Oura el jbel
Directed by: Mohamed Ben Attia
Year: 2023
Country: Tunisia, Belgium, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
Length: 98 minutes
The start of “Behind the Mountains” is a gripping one, drawing the audience in with Rafik (Majd Mastoura) as the central character. His dramatic destruction of his workplace and subsequent leap out of a window creates an air of uncertainty and curiosity. This beginning successfully establishes a character who is seemingly striving to escape the mundane world of capitalism and pursuing a more fulfilling life for himself and his loved ones, using imaginative methods.
Following a four-year stint in prison, Rafik is facing the daunting task of rebuilding his life. The film’s most poignant element centers around the strained relationship between Rafik and his estranged son, Yassine (played by Walid Bouchhioua). Since the event that led to his incarceration, Rafik has not had any contact with his son, and their emotional disconnect creates tension between them. Throughout the movie, Rafik pledges to repair their bond by persuading Yassine of his capabilities. This emotional distance between father and son creates a compelling backdrop for Rafik’s journey towards redemption.
Rafik kidnaps Yassine, driving him to a mountaintop to show him his ´discovery´ and to justify why he was out of the picture for years. The act is laden with a magical realism that confounds our understanding of science and human capabilities. One has to really open themselves up to the reality of the film and it being significantly different from the one that we have come to know in the real world in order to understand the dynamics between the characters and their motivations. The shots of the wide landscapes are visually stunning and narratively pivotal; they serve as an escape from the harsh and confined world that we witness during the first scenes of the film. Furthermore, the scenery sets the stage for a narrative that challenges conventional wisdom. Here, Rafik tries yet again to make a leap, this time off a mountain, to show Yassine something inexplicable, something magical. Whether he succeeds or not is secondary to the emotional journey that reaches its climax in these high-stakes moments.
However, the film falters slightly in its pacing, particularly during an act where Rafik and Yassine force their way into a family’s home, suddenly turning the narrative into a home invasion thriller. The focus shifts to a terrorized family trying to make sense of what the father-son pair say about their ´discovery´ while Rafik, Yassine, and a comrade they met along the way try to survive the night. While intriguing, at times this subplot significantly draws attention away from the pivotal father-son relationship that forms the emotional crux of the movie. Although compelling in its own right, this subplot can be highly distracting, doesn’t carry the same emotional weight as the primary storyline, and could have been more effectively integrated.
Despite this, “Behind the Mountains” shines with its unflinching commitment to character development and narrative risk-taking. The performances from the two leads, Mastoura and Bouchhioua, full of natural chemistry, manage to strike a chord, convincing the viewer to invest emotionally in a story, even when it drastically challenges our perceptions. Mastoura´s performance in particular is compelling in the jarring way he manages to portray the character´s desperate need for validation, redemption, and the audacity to dream far beyond his limitations.
“Behind the Mountains” is a thought-provoking yet heart-wrenching movie that challenges viewers to question their perception of reality, while simultaneously presenting a poignant story of a man who is desperately attempting to reconnect with his estranged son. Although the filmmaker takes some unusual narrative and pacing choices that might not work for everyone, the film remains a noteworthy exploration of a man’s efforts to make amends for his past actions and reconnect with his loved ones.
“Behind the Mountains” premiered at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival in the Orrizonti competition.
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