Aïcha

Aya feels trapped in her job as a housemaid at a luxury hotel in a Tunisian desert town, as well as in an unhealthy relationship. When she survives a bus accident as the sole survivor, she seizes the opportunity to start anew.

After the accident, she changes her name to Amira and travels to the capital, Tunis, hoping for a fresh start. The city offers new opportunities but also new dangers. After a night out, she witnesses a murder and becomes entangled in a police investigation that exposes deep-seated corruption within the Tunisian police force.

Aïcha is a powerful character portrait that not only illustrates how women in Tunisia continue to face conservative family traditions, misogyny, and sexism. The film also serves as a broader depiction of Tunisian society in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution.

Aïcha had its world premiere in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival in 2024. Screenings at Arabiske FIlmdager on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Opening at the Nobel Peace Center // April 2nd, 2025, Arabiske Filmdager

Before the opening film at Vika Kino there will be a conversation about the Jasmine Revolution and the peace process in Tunisia at the Nobel Peace Center. 

If you want to participate in both events, you need to  retrieve your tickets to the Nobel Peace Centerbillett and buy tickets for the film screening at Vika Kino.

Director's Talk // Mehdi Barsaoui

The film's director, Mehdi Barsaoui, will be present for a conversation after the screening of the film on Friday April 4th at 17.30. 

Arabiske Filmdager 2025: April 2nd - April 6th.

Director

Mehdi Barsaoui (b. 1984) was born and raised in Tunisia. He studied at the university in the capital, Tunis, and received his film education in Bologna, Italy. His feature film debut, A Son, was the opening film at the Arab Film Days in 2020. Aïcha is his second feature film.

This film is part of