The Blessed

Story

Why didn’t we leave? A family is suffering with their home country Algeria. A sensitive drama on the subject of escape, as seen from the other side. Algiers in 2008, a few years after the end of the civil war. Samir and Amal are celebrating their 20th anniversary in a dismal international hotel – the only place that serves alcohol – and soon a fierce debate ensues: why did they stay in a country where they can scarcely breathe? Meanwhile, their teenage son Fahim is hanging out with his mates Reda and Feriel. They’re smoking weed and discussing the increasing Islamism of Reda, who’s had a verse from the Koran tattooed on his back – and rebelling against a country that destroys its population’s present and the belief in a better future.

Director

The Blessed is SOFIA DJAMA's debut feature film. It ran in 2017 at the Venice Film Festival in the »Orizzonti« section and has won several awards.

Trailer