Eya’s (Safa Gharbaoui) world as a 12-year-old Belgian Tunisian is filled with warmth and humour. She’s considered the welcome extension of her older brother Younès (Mehdi Bouziane) whose friends treat her like a part of their family. She loves viral dance moves, French rap, football, and riding on the back of Younès’ motorcycle. She’s bright and happy, especially when she’s included in Younès circle.

When Younès becomes “collateral damage” in a shooting incident, everything Eya thought was her life becomes turned upside down. Maja Ajmia Yde Zellama’s debut feature is a beautiful and powerful representation of the Tunisian community in Brussels as Eya’s family and extended family mourn and honour Younès and Eya finds strength in the gentle young men around her: and the spirit of Younès and what he meant to his community opening up a profound understanding of the importance of one life.

Nadine Whitney spoke to Maja Ajmia Yde Zellama about creating examples of healthy masculinity and how her own upbringing influenced Têtes Brulées.

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