Promised Heaven is a compelling drama directed by Erige Sehiri and co-written with Anna Ciennik. Led by performances from Aïssa Maïga, Deborat Christelle Naney, and Laetitia Ky, the film has been chosen for the Un Certain Regard section at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in 2025. This marks the third feature from Tunisian director Erige Sehiri, following La Voie normale and Sous les figues. The film is scheduled to hit French theaters on January 28, 2026.
Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist, now resides in Tunis, where she balances her spiritual commitments with a keen eye on the world around her. Having settled there for several years, she opens her home to women in vulnerable situations, turning her apartment into a hub of informal solidarity.
Alongside them, Naney, a young mother whose employer has confiscated her passport, and Jolie, a promising student and artist forced to return to her homeland, struggle to build an uncertain future. The delicate balance of this trio is shaken when they take in Kenza, a four-year-old girl rescued from a shipwreck. This act of kindness redefines their bond and turns their refuge into a blended family — tender, yet vulnerable to new threats.
In a social climate characterized by rising tensions between Sub-Saharan communities, Tunisian populations, and law enforcement, their individual paths are increasingly challenged by a fragile political and human landscape. The decisions they face will directly impact their safety, their beliefs, and their ability to stay united.
Promise to Heaven continues the work of Erige Sehiri, who gained recognition at Cannes in 2022 with Under the Fig Trees. That film premiered at Directors' Fortnight and was Tunisia’s submission for the 2023 Oscars. Here, the director maintains her focus on reality, blending social observation with a ensemble narrative, filming in Tunisia and paying close attention to female and migrant experiences.
Unveiled during the official Cannes Film Festival 2025 press conference, the film is part of the Un Certain Regard selection, showcasing contemporary cinema that is both artistically daring and socially committed. Without preachiness, the feature explores themes like exile, solidarity, and motherhood against a backdrop of political tension, all while incorporating moments of humor and intimacy.
With its calm pace and meticulous focus on bodies and spaces, the film appeals to viewers who are attuned to social dramas and stories rooted in current events. It shares similarities with a humanistic cinema style, reminiscent of some works by Kaouther Ben Hania or the director's early films, where personal stories illuminate collective issues.
Promised Heaven
Film | 2026
Release in theaters: January 28, 2026
Drama | Duration: 1h32
Directed by Erige Sehiri | Starring Aïssa Maïga, Deborat Christelle Naney, Laetitia Ky
Original title: Promis le Ciel
Countries: Tunisia, France
With Promise Heaven, Erige Sehiri continues her body of work focused on contemporary issues and women's stories, weaving a collective narrative that questions the ways people seek refuge and resist in a world marked by borders and crises.
To keep the movie magic going beyond the theater, check out the January movie releases, discover the must-see films of the moment, and browse our list of standout dramas of the year.
