Where the Wind Comes From
{{Short description|2025 comedy drama film by Amel Guellaty}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Where the Wind Comes From
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Amel Guellaty
| writer = Amel Guellaty
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Asma Chiboub
- Karim Aitouna
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Eya Bellagha
- Slim Baccar
}}
| narrator =
| cinematography = Frida Marzouk
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- Amel Guellaty
- Malek Kammoun
- Ghalya Lacroix
}}
| music = Omar Aloulou
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
- Atlas Vision Productions
- Haut les Mains Productions
}}
| distributor = MAD Distribution (Middle East and North Africa)
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2025|01|26|Sundance|ref1=}}
| runtime = 100 minutes
| country = {{Plainlist|
- Tunisia
- France
- Qatar
}}
| language = Arabic
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Where the Wind Comes From is a 2025 comedy drama film written and directed by Amel Guellaty. The film stars Eya Bellagha and Slim Baccar as friends who embark on a road trip to participate in an art contest. Asma Chiboub and Karim Aitouna produced the film through the studios Atlas Vision and Haut les Mains.
The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition category.
Synopsis
Cast
- Eya Bellagha as Alyssa
- Slim Baccar as Mehdi
- Sondos Belhassen
- Lobna Noomene
Production
Tunisian filmmaker Amel Guellaty wrote and directed Where the Wind Comes From, her first feature film following the shorts Black Mamba (2017) and Chitana (2021). Guellaty first conceived the idea for Where the Wind Comes From years before its production, before she made her prior two short films. The story is based on her experience growing up with primarily male friends.{{cite news |last1=Sales Ross |first1=Rafa |title='Where the Wind Comes From' Director on 'Defying Orientalism' With Tunisian Sundance Comedy: 'People Want to See Belly Dancing and Mosques' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/where-the-wind-comes-from-sundance-amel-guellaty-1236285951/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=January 26, 2025}}
Asma Chiboub of Atlas Vision Productions (Tunisia), who previously worked with Guellaty on Black Mamba, produced the film alongside Karim Aitouna of Haut les Mains Productions (France). Chadi Abo co-produced the movie.{{cite news |last1=Goodfellow |first1=Melanie |title=MAD Distribution Snaps Up MENA Rights To Sundance Title 'Where The Wind Comes From' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/mad-distribution-mena-sundance-title-where-the-wind-comes-from-1236237819/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=December 19, 2024}}
Release
In December 2024, the Egyptian company MAD Distribution acquired the Middle East and North Africa distribution rights for the movie. The film made its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26 as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.{{cite news |last1=Lang |first1=Robert |title=Sundance Film Festival Photos: 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' & 'Rebuilding' Premieres On Day 4 |url=https://deadline.com/gallery/sundance-film-festival-2025-day-4-premiere-photos/2025-sundance-film-festival-kiss-of-the-spider-woman-premiere-4/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=January 26, 2025}}