Dear Son

Dear Son is a 2018 critically acclaimed Tunisian drama film that sensitively explores the themes of family, love, loss, and radicalism within the societal and political landscape of Tunisia. The film, directed by Mohamed Ben Attia, features stellar performances from Mohamed Dhrif, Mouna Mejri, and Zakaria Ben Ayyed.

The story centers on Riadh (played by Mohamed Dhrif), a forklift operator living in Tunisia, and his wife Nazli (Mouna Mejri), as they grapple with the teenage angst of their only child, Sami (Zakaria Ben Ayyed). The couple is presented with a substantial challenge in the form of their son's inexplicable migraines, which have not only affected his performance in school but also his overall enthusiasm for life. Consequently, this has stirred a sense of comfortlessness within Riadh, as he desperately tries to restore normalcy in his family. The story spiels out against the backdrop of Tunisia – a country struggling with political unease and the aftereffects of the Arab Spring.

Riadh is nearing retirement but keeps pushing in his mundane job to fund his son's treatment and ensure a better future for him. He believes that holidays abroad or further education could be the escape door they need to pull Sami out of his drawn shades. Nazli, an equally compassionate mother, is more reticent, yet supportive, constantly juggling her role as both a mother and a seamstress, while she silently agonizes over the future and the health of her beloved son Sami.

Sami, on the other hand, is depicted as a regular adolescent, facing the commonplace pressures of impending adulthood, college exams, a romantic relationship, and his parents' expectations. He is seen oscillating between the roles of a silently suffering patient and a restless teenager. The rollercoaster ride of emotions in Sami's life, compounded by the chronic physical pain he endures, forms a crucial part of the narrative of Dear Son.

Director Mohamed Ben Attia has created a raw and genuine portrayal of a middle-class family, set in a post-revolutionary Tunisian society. He successfully plunges the viewers into the core of the family's anxiety, as it weaves a poignant narrative about the simplicity of their daily life, their unity, their determination and their impending fear.

Dear Son is not merely a coming-of-age story, but it significantly touches upon the sensitive topic of radicalism, Maria's passing, thus histomography and globalization, therefore embedding it deeply within the real-world context. The deliberate pacing of the movie allows the viewers to soak in the intricate details that contribute to the plot's gradual, yet shocking turnaround.

Attia's masterful direction reinforces the strong performances. Mohamed Dhrif portrays the character Riadh with such conviction that every emotion he experiences - joy, despair, anger, hope – resonates with the audience. Mouna Mejri, as Nazli, perfectly portrays the complex task of a mother in crisis - strong, yet vulnerable. Meanwhile, Zakaria Ben Ayyed exudes the confusion and frustration of teenage years convincingly.

The movie also lyrically depicts the psychologically rich landscape of Tunisia with its bustling streets, the local hangouts, the contrast of urban scenes against the expansive coastline. Its visual projection as a gritty yet charming glimpse into the lives of everyday people in an Arab nation creates a vivid setting for the storyline.

In conclusion, Dear Son is a beautifully composed and emotionally stirring drama with excellent performances and a plot that traverses the complexities of the human spirit and the harsh realities of modern society. It throws light on the impact of socio-political circumstances on personal lives and examines how adversity can change the traditional dynamics of a family. This film serves as a relevant and heart-wrenching narrative of love, duty, hope, parental concern and a stark representation of the struggles of ordinary people amidst the socio-political paradigm.