At its core, Promised Sky tells the story of four women, Marie, Naney, Jolie, and young Kenza, who find refuge under one roof in Tunis. Marie, a former Ivorian journalist turned pastor, has lived in Tunisia for a decade. Her modest home becomes a sanctuary for Naney, a young mother in search of a future; Jolie, a fierce student carrying generational expectations; and Kenza, a child orphaned by the sea. Together, they form what Sehiri calls “an unorthodox family.” But as Tunisia is swept by xenophobic unrest, mirroring real events that inspired the film, their solidarity is tested. Each woman is forced to confront not only the world outside but also her own desires, fears, and limits.
“Promised Sky is inspired by real events that unfolded in Tunisia, when sub-Saharan migrants were violently targeted in both the media and in the streets,” Sehiri explains. “Stirred by inflammatory political rhetoric, a wave of hostility led to arbitrary arrests and expulsions.”
In contrast to overt political statements, Sehiri opts for intimacy. “What interests me most is moving beyond the migrant archetype by creating characters who feel real, complex, unexpected, and capable of challenging the audience,” she says. This focus on the individual, rather than the issue, gives Promised Sky its emotional weight. We are not asked to pity its characters, but to witness them: their moments of joy, fear, tension, and resilience.
In Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, a category known for innovation and depth, Promised Sky stood out for its emotional clarity and political subtlety. As the world grapples with rising nationalism and migration crises, Sehiri invites us to reflect not on borders, but on bonds. And in doing so, she offers a rare gift: a story that transcends survival, and begins to dream.