Un divano a Tunisi

Arab Blues (A Couch in Tunis) is an instantly likeable film. Its opening shot - about an old man's description of who Sigmund Freud might be from his looks - is charming and so is the story that succeeds it of a young woman (Golshifteh Farahani) coming back to her homeland, Tunisia, from Paris to start a psychoanalysis practice. She knows she will be looked down for it, a testament that she immediately gets from her uncle. But she is independent, courageous, and gritty, and so the film begins. I absolutely loved all the characters and their performances here, especially Farahani, Feryel Chammari, and Aïsha Ben Miled. Each actor is better than the other and I had a sweet time looking at them, delivering beautiful dialogues and acting like it's real life. The social critique is pregnant here but Arab Blues projects itself as a lively comedy about a woman's struggle in modern-day Tunis, a state still marred by backward beliefs and customs, something that is common everywhere. With a supporting soundtrack, adequate humour, and the ability to keep you engaged, Arab Blues is easily one of the most pleasant comedies you will see this year. Glad I sat down and considered EUFF. Grade A-.

(Watched at the 2020 European Union Film Festival of India (EUFF).)

The struggle to become something or someone .. to succeed in ones profession or dream/pursuit. And if you are a woman ... well the struggle can be even worse. Especially in some countries and situations. Not that we have reached real equality anywhere, but in some countries it is even worse than in others, when it comes to women being able to work however they want to.

That is just the basis, just one of the points the movie is making. Psychologically speaking there is more to it. Great central performance, great persistence, great fight for what she believes in. And really fun and interesting side stories of the ... side characters overall. A nice little movie/drama, that you will like if you are into low budget character studies.

I felt like the last 10 minutes of the film were missing..

This is what every and each single person in a third-world country has experienced. What happens in the offices, how the streets look, how the police treats you, how people think of a newcomer, and ... This is how these countries feel and the movie is a portrait drawn by a great artist.

Golshifteh Farahani, as wonderful as always. I would say it's a feel good movie which is commenting on some of the issues faced in the modern day society.

Director took the artistic freedom in making it. It's good to watch movie.

And spoiler alert, there's guest entry of Sigmund Freud!!