Where the Wind Comes From: Tunisia’s Gorgeous Road Trip to Self-Discovery
Director Amel Guellaty has crafted something genuinely special with her feature debut - a visually stunning road trip film that defies every orientalist expectation about Arab cinema while delivering an authentic, heartwarming story about friendship, dreams, and the universal desire to escape toward something better. This Tunisian-French co-production follows childhood friends Alyssa and Mehdi as they "borrow" a car and journey across Tunisia to an art contest that could change their lives forever.
Eya Bellagha is absolutely captivating as Alyssa, the fiery protagonist whose rebellious spirit masks deep vulnerability. A former Thai boxing champion discovered by Guellaty seven years ago, Bellagha brings incredible verve and vitality to her role while revealing the heart beneath the bluster. Her chemistry with Slim Baccar's gentle, methodical Mehdi creates relaxed camaraderie that feels completely authentic – their banter, intimacy, and honest friendship anchor the entire film.
The cinematography by Frida Marzouk is nothing short of breathtaking. Guellaty's photography background shines through in every precisely composed frame, with characters often placed in the lower half of shots, leaving space for their dreams above. The film showcases Tunisia's diverse landscapes in ways that feel both intimate and epic, while fantasy musical interludes featuring Alyssa's daydreams add surrealist touches that never feel forced.
What makes this film extraordinary is Guellaty's commitment to cultural authenticity without falling into clichés. She explicitly rejected Western expectations about Arab cinema, stating: "People want to see belly dancing and mosques in our movies... I wanted to do the opposite." The result is a fresh, contemporary portrait of Tunisian youth that feels both specific to its culture and universally relatable.
The film's exploration of post-Arab Spring disillusionment resonates deeply – these young people are caught between revolutionary hopes and economic reality, desperate to escape a country that offers them little opportunity. Yet Guellaty never treats their situation as poverty porn or political messaging. Instead, she finds humor, beauty, and hope in their journey, creating a narrative that acknowledges struggle while celebrating resilience.
Technically, the film is superb. The fantastic indie soundtrack of Tunisian music perfectly complements the visual storytelling, while the editing maintains perfect pacing between comedy and deeper emotional moments. The sparse animation sequences that bring Mehdi's artistic visions to life add another layer of creative sophistication.
This is exactly the kind of international cinema we need more of – stories that challenge Western assumptions while celebrating the complexity and humanity of their characters. Where the Wind Comes From offers internal wisdom that the road can help unlock, reminding us that sometimes the journey itself is the destination. Guellaty has established herself as a vital new voice in world cinema, and this charming, visually gorgeous film deserves to find the widest possible audience.