Narrating life of Tunisian-Muslim family in Brussels: Têtes brûlées scoops Special Mentions at Berlinale
Têtes brûlées (Hotheads) by Belgian-Tunisian-Danish director and screenwriter Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama scooped two Special Mentions at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).
The film was honoured by the official Generation 14plus jury and the Independent Jury of the AG Kino-Gilde—Cinema Vision 14plus.
The plot of Zellama's debut feature film follows twelve-year-old Eya and her 25-year-old brother Younès. When Younès suddenly dies, Eya's world collapses. She finds solace in her creativity, resilience, and the support of Younès' friends.
Through Eya's grieving journey, the viewers uncover the life and customs of the Tunisian-Muslim family in Brussels. Eya is aware of her community's solidarity as it rallies around her family and the silence that isolates each individual in their grief.
Generation 14plus jury praised the film as "a remarkable debut that offers a rare glimpse into a world of solidarity and love through the eyes of a young girl.'
They added: 'With visually fresh imagery and heartfelt storytelling, it brings grief's complexity to the forefront, showing how loss can be painful and transformative. A bold yet gentle work, it reminds us of the power of unity in difficult times."
The film enjoyed a full-house screening at the Berlinale and a Q&A session with the cast and crew. The second screening took place on Sunday.
Têtes brûlées stars Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra (DIVINES), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama, and Monia Taieb.
Berlinale, which ran from 13 to 23 February, revealed the winners of its 75th edition on Saturday, its closing day.
Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus are two of the festival's numerous competitive segments, screening state-of-the-art international cinema suitable for young audiences, with programmes featuring coming-of-age narratives.
The films in Generation 14plus tackle important themes like identity, family dynamics, social challenges, and personal growth while providing artistic and thought-provoking narratives.
The section includes feature films, short films, and documentaries from all over the world.
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