From Jeff Nelson

Most coming-of-age stories center around teenagers facing a major milestone, but the transition to adulthood doesn’t happen at the same age for everyone. Amel Guellaty’s Where the Wind Comes From follows a pair of young adults seeking to escape the mounting responsibilities and societal pressures trapping them in paths paved by their families. The coming-of-age dramedy formula remains untouched here but still musters a sweet tale.

Rebellious 19-year-old Alyssa (Eya Bellagha) and her 23-year-old introverted friend, Mehdi (Slim Baccar) use their imagination to escape the stresses of their realities. She devises a plan to enter his beautiful art into a contest to win the chance to flee to Germany. They embark on a road trip to southern Tunisia with plenty of hurdles along the way.

Alyssa and Mehdi share a bond so strong, it feels more like siblinghood than friendship. Her father’s death left her family in shambles – a mother unable to cope with the grief and a neglected younger sister. Alyssa resents him for asking her to care for the family, as her patience hangs on by nothing but a thread. Meanwhile, Mehdi struggles to land a job after graduating with a computer degree, alienating him from a family that doesn’t understand his generation’s hardships in the job market. He’s a remarkable artist, frequently drawing as a hobby to express his emotions. Alyssa abandoned the creative outlet of carving wood figurines she shared with her father since his passing. Her refusal to confront her responsibilities and his loss halts any emotional expression, distancing herself from the person she once was.

These two friends have the potential to bring out the best in one another, although their desire to escape reality puts a cloud over that bond. Alyssa is reckless and Mehdi is easily persuaded to make the wrong decision to appease her. She isn’t afraid to steal a dangerous man’s car or shoplift, relying on the feeling of youthful invulnerability. However, this road trip is a one-way trip to a harsh reality that she can’t weasel her way out of, and it threatens to tear apart their seemingly unbreakable bond.

Where the Wind Comes From has a mythical component. Mehdi describes how dreams transform into clouds and where wind gusts originate, creating a dramatic core for the characters' journey. Such poetic moments pleasantly frame the story, although they could have expanded deeper into its roots, allowing it to branch away from the typical coming-of-age formula.

This road trip of discovery is too predictable for its own good, but there is a distinct charm that gives it pops of flavor. Alyssa’s relationship with her family lacks the depth of her dynamic with Mehdi, which feels like a missing piece of the puzzle. Where the Wind Comes doesn’t tread new ground, although it does satisfy as a cathartic indie dramedy with sparks of charm.

Rating: 3/5

Where the Wind Comes From played Sundance 2025 on January 26th, 2025.

Follow Jeff