Why we picked it – A deceptively simple film that gently explores human relationships.
Synopsis – The film takes place over a single working day in, as promised in the title, a fig tree orchard in Tunisia. It starts at sunrise as a truck picks up a crowd of people doing cash-in-hand work picking the fruit: largely women, young and old, and some men. The long working day unfolds as the camera dips between the trees discovering dramas that, as anywhere, are both specific and universal. Friendships, enmities, generational and political disputes and embryonic and failed love affairs are revealed. In the key relationship between Fidé, a young female worker, and her boss, the film captures the society’s sexual politics: women have to choose between sisterly solidarity and what compromised advantage they can gain through a relationship with a man.
The film -The plot was largely improvised with some specific situations set up for two or three characters to work around, so there are some slightly amorphous, acting-class improv conversations and arguments, and even some improv fighting. With the dappled light through the rustling leaves, birdsong and closeup camerawork, this gives the film an easy pace. At times it looks very real: the moment when the dilapidated tailgate falls off the back of the truck was surely authentic. It is no surprise to learn that the director learnt her trade as a documentary maker. Here is an interview with her talking about the film at Cannes. It’s in French, but I am sure you can cope.
Director: Erige Sehiri; Writers: Erige Sehiri, Ghalya Lacroix, Peggy Hamann; Cinematography: Frida Marzouk; Tunisia, 2021, 92 mins, 12A