‘Where the Wind Comes From’ Director on ‘Defying Orientalism’ With Tunisian Sundance Comedy: ‘People Want to See Belly Dancing and Mosques’ (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Rafa Sales Ross Guest Contributor The snow-covered Park City feels a world away from Tunis, where Amel Guellaty shot her feature debut “Where the Wind Comes From,” playing Sundance as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition strand.

This real-life journey somewhat echoes that of the film’s main characters, Alyssa (Eya Bellagha) and Mehdi (Slim Baccar), who embark on an eventful road trip to make it to an artist contest that promises to be the key to leaving their home country for a life in Europe.

Speaking exclusively with Variety, the photographer-turned-filmmaker says Sundance was always her “dream” festival. “When I see the Sundance laurels on a film poster I know I am going to like the movie, so I couldn’t believe it when I got in.” The premiere has an added layer of excitement for Guellaty: this is the first time her leading actors will be seeing snow. “They are almost equally as excited about that,” she says jokingly.

The story centers on a girl and a boy who grow up as best friends, without ever surrendering to their friends’ and families’ expectations of a romance.