Mohamed Dahech

It is early summer, exceptionally hot and humid. Malek is living on the ground floor of an old building by the sea, single with no family ties. She is frequently mocked by her friends, Khaled and Azza, because of her passions for Roman mosaics and for spying on her strange neighbors. It is the day- to- day life she has chosen. But when night falls, the wild violent rowing she hears from behind her neighbors' closed door plunges her into fits of anguish. Dark memories resurface. She is sure there is a Monster living in her building. It sends her messages, enters her apartment when she is away. The day she met Jihène, a new tenant, who she immediately befriends, was the day the monster came knocking at her door.

When Shams’ intersex identity is exposed, the young seamstress’ tranquil life unravels. Engaged in a steamy love triangle and targeted by an obsessive attacker, they escape to the capital city. Taking refuge with their lover’s mystic cousin, they grapple with their complex sense of self. This evocative tale explores the clash between desire and identity.

Beginning of January 2011, during the Tunisian revolution, Mohamed, a political prisoner, escapes from jail and returns to his native town Thala. He finds it in the midst of a revolt. He has only one goal: to find his fiancée Hourya. Mohamed is helped in his flight by Belgacem a coalman and former agent of the regime who is hoping to be redeemed. He hides Mohamed in his garage. On the night of January 9th, Mohamed witnesses yet another slaughter. As he carries the dead body of a young man to hospital, a young protestor films him on his cell phone and the video is uploaded on Facebook. Meanwhile, we discover Hourya who lives with her husband, Adel, a quiet man who has accepted her past but forbids her of taking part in any political activity. Hourya who was raped in prison after Mohamed's arrest, believes that Mohamed has died under torture and to save her own life, she accepted to get married to Adel whom she does not love.

Sharaf may dream of being fabulously rich, but when he ends up in prison after killing a man in defense of his honor, he has to wake up fast. Prison mirrors the outside world, with all its systemic inequality, injustice and corruption––although, even here, Sharaf believes he can make his fortune.

The work deals with the story of a man who remains silent all the time and is the main driver of events, as everyone seeks to discover his secrets, and at this desire meet eight different personalities who all agree on curiosity.

Zeineb, Elyssa and Houssine, a trio unlikely to ever meet, see their fates cross paths on the night of January 14, the historic date when Ben Ali fled and the Tunisian revolution transformed the face of the nation. The individual lives of these three characters represent the frustrations, challenges, hopes and dreams of the entire country, with their tragic encounter proving to be one that will bind them together for life.

One house, one afternoon, one misunderstanding, four points of view.

Imed, a young father, finding himself alone for a few days with his five year old son due to his wife’s business trip, will have to confront his deepest fear.

Hommage

Adel (40) was driving his taxi peacefully through the streets of Tunis in search of customers when suddenly, embarks a strange passenger.