À voix basse (بيّت الحس): Leyla Bouzid’s New Film Arrives in Tunisian Cinemas After Berlinale 2026
After its world premiere in the Official Competition of the Berlin International Film Festival, À voix basse (بيّت الحس), also known as À voix basse, arrives in Tunisian cinemas starting April 29, 2026. The film marks a significant new step in Leyla Bouzid’s evolving cinematic language, shaped between Tunisia and France and rooted in intimate storytelling.
This third feature follows her acclaimed works À peine j’ouvre les yeux and Une histoire d’amour et de désir. With À voix basse (بيّت الحس), Bouzid deepens her exploration of memory, identity, and women’s inner worlds, this time through the lens of a family home where multiple generations coexist and where silence carries emotional weight.
A story of return and hidden truths
The film follows Lilia, who returns to Tunisia for her uncle’s funeral and reconnects with a family that knows little about her life in Paris. As she begins to question the circumstances surrounding his sudden death, her search gradually uncovers buried tensions and long-held secrets within a house inhabited by three generations of women.
The narrative unfolds in a contained, almost claustrophobic setting, where the house becomes a central presence. It holds memories, silences, and unresolved histories, shaping the emotional rhythm of the film.
A powerful ensemble cast
The film features a strong cast bringing together different artistic backgrounds, including Eya Bouteraa, Hiam Abbass, Marion Barbeau, Feriel Chamari, and Salma Baccar. Their performances create a layered emotional landscape that blends restraint with intensity.
Leyla Bouzid
Born in Tunis, Leyla Bouzid studied literature at Sorbonne University before training in directing at La Fémis. Her debut film established her as a key voice in contemporary cinema, and her second feature confirmed her ability to navigate themes of love, exile, and cultural identity.
With À voix basse (بيّت الحس), she turns inward, focusing on family dynamics and the emotional complexity of returning home. The film continues her exploration of how personal histories intersect with broader social realities.
A film between languages and emotional states
Running 1 hour and 53 minutes, the film shifts between Tunisian Arabic and French. This duality reflects the protagonist’s fragmented sense of belonging and reinforces the film’s central tension between expression and silence.
A quiet yet lasting cinematic experience
À voix basse (بيّت الحس) is not driven by dramatic spectacle but by atmosphere and nuance. It unfolds through subtle gestures, pauses, and unspoken emotions. The film invites viewers into a reflective space where meaning emerges gradually.
From April 29, 2026, audiences in Tunisia will discover a film that privileges sensitivity over intensity, offering a deeply immersive and resonant experience.
Discover more on the official film page on Hakka Distribution
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