A SON
A shocking family secret is discovered after an ambush on Tunisia’s border leaves a young boy in critical condition and his parents desperate for answers.
First-time Tunisian filmmaker Mehdi Barsaoui presents a startling mature debut with his riveting A SON. Evoking the work of Asghar Farhadi, Barsaoui builds a compelling narrative of shifting dynamics between a husband and wife at odds while facing their biggest nightmare. Only months after the Tunisian Revolution of 2011, the affluent Youssef family takes in the waning hours of their joyful holiday. During an ambush by Islamist insurgents, their only son Aziz is critically injured and rushed to the nearest hospital. In the agonizing hours that follow, concerned parents Fares (Sami Bouajila) and Meriem (Najla Ben Abdallah) learn a shocking truth that makes them question everything they know. With Barsaoui’s extremely focused direction and script, each passionate glance or dejected plea is like a shot to the heart, elevated by the actors’ captivating performances. With this bold new work, Barsaoui announces himself as a significant new voice in international cinema.
CAST: Sami Bouajila, Najla Ben Abdallah, Youssef Khemiri, Noomen Hamda
In Competition: Narrative Feature Award, First Feature Award
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