Dear Son

According to reports from the UN, Tunisia has sent more young men to join the ranks of the Islamic State than any other country. What makes a person travel into a war zone? Director Mohamed Ben Attia, who visited Arab Film Days in 2017 with his feature debut Hedi, tries to come up with answers in the heartbreaking drama Dear Son, which was screened at last year’s film festival in Cannes.

Riadh and Nazil have invested everything they have in their 19 year-old-son Sami. Sami, on his side, is suffering from migraine and anxiety about his upcoming college entrance exams. Then, one day, he leaves his parents and travels to Syria. In desperation and despair Riadh follows, to get him back again. Ben Attia’s main focus is on the parents, and he makes a smart decision in letting the film examine the indirect victims of extremism: the ones left behind that has to continue their life in the unknown.

Mohammed Ben Attia is a director and screenwriter from Tunisia who made his short film debut in 2004 with Romantisme. His first feature film Hedi won the prize for best feature film debut at the Berlinale in 2016.