Movies: Who Do I Belong To (2024) by Meryam Joobeur: A Haunting Portrait of Radicalization and Maternal Love

A Mother's Desperate Search for Truth

Who Do I Belong To is a Tunisian-Canadian-French drama film, written and directed by Meryam Joobeur. The film, an expansion of her Oscar-nominated short film Brotherhood, centers on Aicha, a mother living in a remote village in northern Tunisia. After her two eldest sons leave to fight in a war, her life is consumed by grief and uncertainty. When one son, Mehdi, unexpectedly returns home with a pregnant and silent wife, a deep-seated darkness emerges, threatening her family and the entire community. Aicha is caught between her unconditional maternal love and the desperate need to uncover the truth.

Why to watch this movie: A Poetic and Visceral Experience

• Deeply Poetic and Haunting: The film is praised for its blend of stark realism with elements of magical realism, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after viewing.

• Masterful Direction: Meryam Joobeur's debut feature is a showcase of her directing talent. She crafts a story that is both intimate and epic in scope, using a visceral style to immerse the audience.

• Timely and Resonant: The movie tackles the complex and painful subject of radicalization and its effect on families with authenticity and a rare sensitivity, making it a crucial work for modern audiences.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/la-source-2024 (France)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14680834/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/457339/

About movie: https://marrakech-festival.com/en/films/who-do-i-belong-to/

What is the Trend followed?: The Rise of Socially Conscious Arthouse Films

• Issue-Driven Narratives: The film is a prime example of a global trend where filmmakers use personal, emotional narratives to explore complex geopolitical and social issues, in this case, the lasting impact of radicalization.

• Documentary-like Realism: It follows the trend of blurring the lines between fiction and reality, using a gritty, documentary-like style to create a sense of authenticity and emotional truth.

• Magical Realism: By incorporating elements of magical realism, the film aligns with a recent trend in international cinema to use surreal or folkloric elements to explore deep psychological and social truths.

Director's Vision: The Clash of Realism and the Surreal

• Meryam Joobeur's vision was to create a film that placed "very real emotions in a world that feels a bit surreal." She was inspired by Tunisian folktales and her own dreams, which she wove into the film's narrative.

• She intended to shift the focus from the radicalized sons to the feminine experience of motherhood and the immense grief of losing one's children to a conflict they cannot understand.

• The director wanted to explore the question of identity and belonging, asking whether one's identity is defined by themselves or by society's perception of them.

Themes: Identity, Grief, and The Unseen Scars of War

• Identity and Belonging: The central question of the film's title, "Who Do I Belong To," is a core theme. It explores how individuals and families are forced to redefine their identities when shattered by external forces and internal conflicts.

• Grief and Loss: The film is a powerful exploration of a mother's grief, not for a son who is dead, but for a son who has been lost to an ideology, creating an ambiguous and deeply painful form of mourning.

• The Aftermath of Radicalization: The movie delves into the often-unseen consequences of radicalization on the families left behind, highlighting the lasting trauma and community-level suspicion that it creates.

Key success factors: Authenticity and Atmosphere

• Authentic Performances: The cast, which includes both professional and non-professional actors, delivers performances praised for their authenticity and emotional honesty.

• Visual Storytelling: The cinematography by Vincent Gonneville is a key success factor, as it masterfully blends breathtaking landscapes with claustrophobic close-ups to create a palpable sense of tension and mystery.

• Brave Subject Matter: The film's willingness to tackle a sensitive and complex subject with nuance and empathy is a major factor in its critical acclaim.

Awards and Nominations: A Critically Acclaimed Debut

The film has received numerous accolades. It was a nominee for the Golden Bear at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. It won the Best Director award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film at the Windsor International Film Festival.

Critics Reception: Poetic and Unflinching

• Film Fest Report: Calls the film a "searing, deeply affecting, and haunting debut," noting that it is "visually stunning, impressively gripping, and horrifyingly tragic."

• The Film Verdict: Describes the film as a "brooding depression," criticizing its narrative confusion but praising the cinematography and performances.

• RogerEbert.com: States the film is an "anxiously lyrical, magical realist narrative" and a "bracing and assured work" that gains texture from its "immaculately evocative sound design."

The overall critical reception is largely positive, with critics praising the film's bold style and powerful emotional core, while some have noted that the narrative can be convoluted.

Reviews: Grounded and Powerful

• Unifrance: A synopsis highlights the film as a "human story of desperation, love, persecution, compassion, outlaws, and an individual's will to survive."

• Film is a Fine Affair: Praises the film for its "authenticity" and its ability to present characters in the "simplest of ways to immediately convince you of their truth."

Reviews consistently emphasize the film's powerful emotional impact and its ability to create a universal and deeply moving experience despite its specific cultural setting.

What Movie Trend film is following: "Slow-Burn Horror-Drama"

The film follows the trend of "slow-burn" genre blending, where the story begins as a quiet family drama and gradually introduces elements of horror and suspense. It builds tension through atmosphere and character psychology rather than cheap scares.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Human Cost of Extremism

The movie aligns with the major social trend of shedding light on the human cost of political and religious extremism. It shifts the focus from the perpetrators of violence to the families and communities that are torn apart by these ideologies, providing a vital perspective on a global crisis.

Final Verdict: A Vital and Haunting Debut

Who Do I Belong To is an outstanding debut film that is both a powerful drama and a haunting cinematic experience. Its poetic direction, authentic performances, and timely subject matter make it a must-watch film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.