“It was interesting to talk about migration through a female character”: Erige Sehiri on Promised Sky
Selected to open the Un Certain Regard section, Promised Sky, directed by Erige Sehiri, traces the intertwined lives of four generations of Ivorian immigrant women living in Tunisia. Focusing on Marie (Aïssa Maïga), Naney (Debora Lobe Naney) and Jolie (Laetitia Ky) – three women sharing a home and caring for a young migrant girl, Kenza (Estelle Kenza Dogbo) – the film unfolds with a subtle, observational approach. Sehiri thoughtfully portrays the complex dynamics shaped by social and economic disparities, capturing the quiet resilience and daily challenges faced by African women navigating displacement, identity, and survival far from their homeland.
Ahead of the film’s premiere, Sehiri spoke with The Upcoming about her intention to highlight the often overlooked migration occurring within the African continent rather than outside it. She also reflected on how her background in documentary influenced her direction of the film, and the unique strengths and authenticity that emerged from casting both professional and non-professional actors.
Christina Yang
Promised Sky does not have a release date yet.
Read more reviews from our Cannes Film Festival coverage here.
For further information about the event, visit the Cannes Film Festival website here.
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