Exile
Spring Grants 2019 - Production Stage
Mehdi Hmili / Feature Narrative / Tunisia, Luxembourg, France, Qatar / Original Language: Arabic / Interests: Drama
Synopsis
In an industrial world scarred by tragedy, Mohamed, a worker in the country’s largest steel factory—a national enterprise on the brink of bankruptcy and about to be privatized—embarks on an unyielding quest for truth and justice. Marked by an accident that claimed the life of his friend Adel, he ends up with a piece of metal lodged in his head, which begins to rust slowly. Demoted from his position at the steel mill to that of a watchman, he confronts loss, isolation, and a conspiracy that extends far beyond the factory walls. As the rust spreads through his body, Mohamed gradually transforms into a man of rust, a physical metamorphosis that symbolizes both his decay and his resilience. His desperate search for answers leads him to face dark forces, change his identity, and risk his own life. Through internal struggles, violent confrontations, and shocking revelations, Mohamed evolves from a mere worker into a symbol of resistance. In a final act of sacrifice, he exposes the depth of corruption and becomes a martyr for the workers’ cause, turning his story into a powerful echo of the fight against injustice and betrayal.
About the Director
Mehdi Hmili, a Tunisian director, producer, and screenwriter trained in Paris, co-founded "Yol Film House" with Moufida Fedhila in Tunis. The company has produced award-winning films screened at prestigious international festivals including Cannes, Berlinale, Zurich Film Festival. His second feature film, "Streams," which he directed and co-produced, premiered at the 74th Locarno Film Festival and received critical acclaim, winning Best Director at the 12th Malmö Arab Film Festival, Best Actress at the 43rd Cairo International Film Festival, and the Jury Award at the 27th Kolkata International Film Festival. An alumnus of Torino Film Lab and Film Independent, he remains a key figure in Tunisian cinema, pushing creative boundaries and captivating global audiences with compelling stories.
Contacts
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Main Contact
Moufida Fedhila
- Company:
- Yol Film House
- Phone:
- +216 71 353 008
- Email:
- yol.filmhouse@gmail.com