Mehdi Hmili

Beginning of January 2011, during the Tunisian revolution, Mohamed, a political prisoner, escapes from jail and returns to his native town Thala. He finds it in the midst of a revolt. He has only one goal: to find his fiancée Hourya. Mohamed is helped in his flight by Belgacem a coalman and former agent of the regime who is hoping to be redeemed. He hides Mohamed in his garage. On the night of January 9th, Mohamed witnesses yet another slaughter. As he carries the dead body of a young man to hospital, a young protestor films him on his cell phone and the video is uploaded on Facebook. Meanwhile, we discover Hourya who lives with her husband, Adel, a quiet man who has accepted her past but forbids her of taking part in any political activity. Hourya who was raped in prison after Mohamed's arrest, believes that Mohamed has died under torture and to save her own life, she accepted to get married to Adel whom she does not love.

Amel is released from prison after an adulterous affair. In the violent streets of Tunis, Amel seeks her missing son Moumen, a young football player destroyed by the scandal. During her journey, Amel has to face Tunisian society in ruins.

Mohamed, a steelworker shattered by the death of his friend in a tragic accident, lives with a piece of rusted metal lodged in his head. As the rust spreads through his body, he rises against corruption, becoming a symbol of resistance and sacrifice.

Within the walls of his silent studio, a talented painter faces the bitterness of repeated failures and neglect. As his art and ambitions fade under life’s harsh demands, he embarks on a human journey seeking light amid the darkness of despair.