© Tanit Films, Midi La Nuit, Instinct Bleu
Following her 2018 Oscar-nominated short “Brotherhood,” Meryam Joobeur’s debut narrative feature, ‘Who Do I Belong To,’ is a sensitive and emotionally charged examination of a Tunisian family torn apart by radicalization. Through a lens that is both intimate and deeply affecting, Joobeur explores the limits of a mother’s love, faced with the harrowing realities of her son’s actions. Amplified by Joobeur’s incredible directorial vision, the film delivers a narrative that’s deeply embedded in the complexities of familial bonds and the pain of a mother’s disillusionment.
Director: Meryam Joobeur
Year: 2024
Country: Tunisia, France, Canada
Runtime: 117 minutes
The structure of ‘Who Do I Belong To’ is divided into three acts, presenting the story through three distinct chapters. These segments follow the lives of Aicha, a fortune teller; her husband, Brahim; and their son, Adam, who together reside on a farm. The narrative is initially built around the tension-laden relationship between Aicha and Brahim, juxtaposed with Aicha’s profound attachment to Adam. This dynamic is then further complicated by the absence of Aicha’s two eldest children, who had previously left to join Daesh (Islamic State), casting a long shadow of fear and uncertainty over the family.
The return of Mehdi, one of Aicha’s sons, with a mysterious veiled woman rather than his brother, marks a pivotal moment in the film. This event tests the bounds of Aicha’s motherhood to its core, pushing her to confront the painful truths and consequences of radicalization within her own family. Joobeur’s narrative is less concerned with the radicalization process itself than with its profound effects on the familial structure and the relationships within.
Visually, ‘Who Do I Belong To’ is nothing short of astonishing. Joobeur employs a style laden with metaphor, symbolism, and color to extend her narrative well beyond the confines of dialogue. The use of color, particularly purple, is striking, symbolizing spirituality in Islam and poetically connecting with the film’s themes of prophetic dreams and magical realism. This choice, aside from enhancing the film’s stunning aesthetic, deepens the emotional resonance of the story, ensuring that the film’s tone and atmosphere engage all the senses.
“Who Do I Belong To’ displays its director’s impressive ability to tackle complex themes with emotional depth and sensitivity. By focusing on the impact of radicalization on a single family, she offers a universal story of love, loss, responsibility, and a search for understanding. Through its storytelling, remarkable visual language, and deep emotional impact, ‘Who Do I Belong To’ marks an impressive debut for Meryam Joobeur.
“Who Do I Belong To” premiered at the 2024 Berlinale Film Festival, where it screened as part of the festival’s main competition.
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