MENA: Red Path
Cinema Forum Groningen
Nieuwe Markt 1, 9712KN Groningen GroningenUniversal story about youth, loss and resilience. The combination of social realism and dreamy cinematography makes the film extremely compelling.
With a poetic and hushed cinematic style, Achour takes the viewer on a journey through Achraf's tormented mind, where reality and nightmare merge. It is more than a story about terror; it is an ode to resilience, survival skills and the human spirit that refuses to break even in the darkest of times.
The film is based on a true tragedy in the Mghila Mountains in Tunisia. In November 2015, a young shepherd fell victim to jihadist violence, an event that shocked the region and exposed Tunisia's fragile security situation. This story is brought to life through the eyes of 13-year-old Achraf, who is forced to deliver an unimaginable message to his fellow villagers after a brutal attack.
The natural acting of debutant Ali Helali (Achraf) and Wojciech Staroń's impressive cinematography enhance the intense emotional impact. Tunisia's vast, rugged landscapes serve as a visually powerful metaphor for isolation and survival.