Who Do I Belong To (2024) by Meryam Joobeur

Meryam Joobeur, the Tunisian-Canadian filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated short film Brotherhood, makes her feature debut with Who Do I Belong To (original Arabic title: Mé el Aïn or “Spring Water”). This powerful and atmospheric drama, which premiered in the Main Competition of the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival, delves into the devastating impact of radicalization on a rural Tunisian family, blending stark realism with elements of magic realism and horror.

Who Do I Belong To is set in an isolated farming village in northern Tunisia, where Aïcha (Salha Nasraoui), a woman gifted with prophetic dreams, lives with her husband Brahim (Mohamed Hassine Grayaa) and their three sons. Their world is shattered when their two eldest boys, Mehdi (Malek Mechergui) and Amine (Chaker Mechergui), leave to join the violent embrace of war. The parents, who have lived solely for their children, are left grappling with a painful new reality and a profound sense of anguish.

Months later, Mehdi unexpectedly returns home, accompanied by a pregnant wife named Reem (Dea Liane), who wears a niqab and remains mysteriously silent. Reem’s presence and silence deeply unsettle Brahim, but Aïcha, consumed by her maternal love, welcomes Mehdi and Reem into the family home, vowing to protect them at all costs. However, Mehdi’s return triggers a series of strange and unsettling events in the village. Aïcha, initially blinded by her desire to shield her son, gradually becomes aware of the rising fear and darkness in the community, hinting at Mehdi’s jihadist past.

The film expertly weaves a dream-like atmosphere with its stark portrayal of reality, using horror tropes and Aïcha’s haunting dreams and visions to explore the invisible yet lingering scars of radicalization. Aïcha finds herself caught between her fierce maternal love and her desperate search for the truth about her sons’ actions and their allegiances. As the family struggles to hold itself together, disturbing events escalate, pushing Aïcha to confront secrets that threaten to consume not only her family but the entire village. The narrative is structured in three chapters, culminating in a final act that delves into a more visceral, almost horror-like territory, posing profound questions about identity, belonging, and the human cost of war and extremism.

A Tunisian family is plunged into anguish when their two eldest sons leave to fight in a war. Months later, one son, Mehdi, returns unexpectedly with a mysterious, silent, and pregnant wife. His return triggers a series of strange events and growing fears in their isolated village, forcing the mother, Aïcha, to confront the dark truths of her son’s past and the limits of her maternal love as she struggles to protect her family and community from a looming darkness.

Meryam Joobeur builds upon the themes explored in her Oscar-nominated short film Brotherhood, expanding them into her feature debut. Her vision for Who Do I Belong To is to create a complex and poetic exploration of family conflict and extremism, viewed through the lens of the feminine experience, particularly motherhood. She aims to present a poignant and haunting tale of the human cost of war and radicalization, focusing on its aftermath and the lasting scars it leaves. Joobeur skillfully blends stark realism with elements of magic realism, using Aïcha’s prophetic dreams and visions to conjure a dream-like world that poses very real and difficult questions about identity, belonging, and the fracturing of societal bonds. She deliberately shifted the narrative perspective to center on Aïcha, the mother, exploring her role in society and her internal struggle to rebuild her identity amidst pain and sorrow. The film utilizes striking cinematography (by Vincent Gonneville, also her collaborator on Brotherhood) to create a mysterious and visually stunning atmosphere, emphasizing extreme close-up shots and sometimes blurry imagery to create parallels between reality and fantasy, underlining the inherent horror and beauty of the story and its setting.

• Radicalization and its Aftermath: The devastating impact of extremism on families and communities, focusing on the grief and societal fractures it creates.

• Maternal Love vs. Truth: The intense conflict faced by a mother torn between her unwavering love for her child and the need to confront harsh, unsettling truths about their actions.

• Identity and Belonging: Questions of who one belongs to – family, community, or an ideology – and the crisis of identity when traditional bonds are shattered.

• Magic Realism and Prophecy: The use of Aïcha’s prophetic dreams and supernatural elements to explore the unseen and unsettling forces at play.

• Trauma and Silence: The unspoken grief and psychological wounds left by war and radicalization, particularly embodied by Reem’s silence.

• The Victimization of Women: A central focus on the experiences of women, particularly mothers, and their struggle within patriarchal systems and the shadow of violence.

• Powerful and Relevant Subject Matter: Tackling the universally resonant and deeply troubling topic of radicalization and its family impact.

• Meryam Joobeur’s Distinctive Voice: Her debut feature demonstrates a strong, unique artistic vision, building on the success of her short film.

• Blend of Genres: The skillful combination of social realism, psychological drama, and magic realism creates a unique and immersive cinematic experience.

• Strong Performances: Salha Nasraoui as Aïcha, along with the rest of the cast (including Adam Bessa and Dea Liane), deliver compelling and nuanced portrayals.

• Critical Acclaim and Festival Recognition: Premiering in the Main Competition at Berlinale is a significant achievement, indicating its high artistic quality and potential for wider acclaim.

• Salha Nasraoui as Aïcha (the mother)

• Mohamed Hassine Grayaa as Brahim (the husband)

• Malek Mechergui as Mehdi (the eldest returning son)

• Adam Bessa as Bilal (the boys’ friend who works at the police station)

• Dea Liane as Reem (Mehdi’s silent, pregnant wife)

• Rayen Mechergui as Adam (the youngest son)

• Chaker Mechergui as Amine (the other son who went to war)

Who Do I Belong To had its World Premiere in the Main Competition at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 22, 2024. This selection made it eligible for the Golden Bear.

Additional notable awards and nominations:

• Winner: WIFF Prize in Canadian Film at the 2024 Windsor International Film Festival

• Winner: Best Performance in a Borsos Competition film (Salha Nasraoui) at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival

• Winner: Best Editing in a Borsos Competition Film (Meryam Joobeur and Maxime Mathis) at the 2024 Whistler Film Festival

• Winner: €30,000 post-production grant in the Atlas Workshops program at the Marrakech International Film Festival (December 2023)

• Nominated: Canadian Screen Award for Best Motion Picture (Annick Blanc, producer)

• Nominated: Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction (Meryam Joobeur)

• Nominated: John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award (Canadian Screen Awards)

• Nominated: Golden Bear at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival

Who Do I Belong To has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, who lauded its emotional depth, unique style, and powerful performances.

• Variety: Called it a “searing, deeply affecting, and haunting debut,” praising its visual stunningness, gripping narrative, and tragic yet meaningful story. They also highlighted its “graceful, haunting ghost story” elements.

• The Hollywood Reporter: Described it as a film that “explores the fracture within a farming family when their two eldest sons leave them to join ISIS,” noting its focus on the aftermath of the tragedy.

• Film Fest Report: Stated it is “a poignant and haunting tale of the human cost of war,” with “expertly crafted mystery box of repressed emotions and evocative imagery by a director whose voice may not be fully developed yet but is clearly a talent to watch.” 1  They also praised the cinematography for creating a “mysterious look” that sets up “shiveringly precise parallels between reality and fantasy.”   

• Fred Film Radio: Highlighted its visual astoundingness and compelling nature, noting how it focuses on a mother forced to confront the truth about her son in a secluded village.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics highly commend Who Do I Belong To as a powerful, visually stunning, and deeply affecting debut. They praised Meryam Joobeur for her sensitive direction, the film’s unique blend of realism and magic realism, and its profound exploration of family, trauma, and identity in the context of extremism.

Audience reviews from its festival run have been very positive, echoing critical acclaim. Viewers found the film to be incredibly impactful and emotionally resonant. Many appreciated its raw honesty in depicting the devastation caused by radicalization on a family, while also being captivated by the film’s unique atmospheric blend of drama and subtle horror. The performances, particularly Salha Nasraoui’s portrayal of Aïcha, were consistently praised for their depth and intensity. While the film’s challenging themes and stylistic choices might not appeal to all, it has clearly resonated with those seeking profound and artistically ambitious cinema.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that Who Do I Belong To is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that leaves a lasting impression on audiences, captivating them with its unique narrative approach and powerful emotional core.

• Director: Meryam Joobeur

• Writer: Meryam Joobeur

• Producers: Nadim Cheikhrouha (Tanit Films – France), Sarra Ben Hassen (Instinct Bleu – Tunisia), Maria Gracia Turgeon (Midi la Nuit – Canada), Annick Blanc (Midi la Nuit – Canada), Meryam Joobeur

• Cinematography: Vincent Gonneville

• Editing: Meryam Joobeur, Maxime Mathis

• Music by: Peter Venne

• Production Companies: Tanit Films (France), Instinct Bleu (Tunisia), Midi la Nuit (Canada), 1888 Films (France), Eye Eye Pictures (Norway), Godolphin Films (Tunisia)

• Co-production: Collaboration with Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

• Production Countries: Tunisia, Canada, France, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

• Language: Arabic

• Running Time: 117 minutes

• Working Title: Motherhood

• Development: The film went into development in 2021, expanding on the themes of Joobeur’s 2018 short film Brotherhood. She participated in the Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab in 2021, receiving the Sundance Institute/NHK Award.

• Filming Locations: Rural Northern Tunisia.

Release Date on Streaming

A specific streaming release date for Who Do I Belong To has not been announced. It will likely follow its theatrical and festival runs in various territories, with digital distribution details to be confirmed.

Who Do I Belong To had its World Premiere in the Main Competition of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 22, 2024.

Key theatrical release dates:

• Germany (Festival Premiere): February 22, 2024

• Canada: September 17, 2024

• Egypt: October 25, 2024

• Tunisia: December 17, 2024

• France: January 1, 2025

The film has also screened at numerous other international festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival, International Film Festival of Ottawa, and the Whistler Film Festival.

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Profound and Timely: Offers a vital and deeply moving exploration of radicalization’s impact on families, a globally relevant issue.

• Unique Artistic Vision: Meryam Joobeur’s blend of stark realism with elements of magic realism creates a truly distinctive and immersive cinematic experience.

• Exceptional Performances: The cast, especially Salha Nasraoui, delivers powerful and nuanced portrayals that resonate deeply.

• Visually Stunning: The cinematography is consistently praised for its beauty and its ability to enhance the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

• Award-Winning and Critically Acclaimed: Recognized by major festivals and critics, signaling its high artistic quality and importance.

• For Thought-Provoking Drama: If you seek films that challenge you to think deeply about complex social and ethical issues.

• To Discover a New Voice: Experience the impressive feature debut of Meryam Joobeur, a significant new talent in international cinema.

• If You Appreciate Magic Realism: For a film that seamlessly blends realism with fantastical elements to explore deeper truths.

• To Engage with Diverse Perspectives: Gain insight into the human toll of conflict and extremism from a unique Tunisian-Canadian vantage point.

• For Strong Female-Driven Storytelling: A powerful narrative centered on a mother’s resilience and internal struggle.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

Who Do I Belong To aligns with the trend of “Social Realist Dramas” focusing on contemporary global issues (like extremism and its aftermath) through intimate, character-driven narratives. Its use of magic realism places it within a growing trend of “Elevated Genre Films” that blend realism with fantastical or horror elements to explore profound themes. Furthermore, as a multi-national co-production, it represents the increasing trend of “International Collaborations” in filmmaking, bringing diverse voices and perspectives to global audiences.

What Big Social Trend is Following

The film directly addresses the significant global social trend of “Radicalization and its Human Impact,” particularly the devastating effects on families and communities left behind. It also touches upon the increasing importance of “Intercultural Understanding” and the challenges of “Integration” in a world shaped by conflict and migration. Furthermore, it sheds light on the “Feminine Experience of Conflict” and the resilience of mothers in times of profound crisis.

Meryam Joobeur’s Who Do I Belong To is an extraordinary and deeply affecting debut feature. It is a powerful, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant film that fearlessly confronts the devastating impact of radicalization on a family, weaving in elements of magic realism to explore the unseen scars of trauma and the fierce, unyielding nature of maternal love. Anchored by Salha Nasraoui’s captivating performance and Joobeur’s distinctive artistic vision, this film is a crucial and unforgettable work that solidifies her as a significant voice in contemporary international cinema. For audiences seeking a challenging, thought-provoking, and profoundly human cinematic experience, Who Do I Belong To is an absolute must-watch.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Embrace Bold Storytelling: Show how to tackle complex and sensitive global issues with courage, authenticity, and a unique artistic vision.

• Master Genre Blending: Demonstrate how to seamlessly integrate elements of realism, magic realism, and even horror to create a rich and multi-layered narrative.

• Prioritize Emotional Depth: Emphasize the importance of grounding challenging themes in deeply human, relatable emotional experiences, particularly through strong character development.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Emerging Voices: Continue to invest in and champion debut filmmakers, especially those who bring diverse cultural perspectives and tackle important social issues with artistic ambition.

• Promote International Co-Productions: Recognize the value of collaborative efforts between countries, which can lead to unique stories and broader global appeal.

• Champion Films with Ethical Nuance: Encourage and distribute films that explore complex ethical dilemmas and foster dialogue around challenging contemporary issues, contributing to greater societal understanding.