In a Whisper (2026 film)
| In a Whisper | |
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| Directed by | Leyla Bouzid |
| Written by | Leyla Bouzid |
| Produced by | Caroline Nataf |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Sébastien Goepfert |
| Edited by | Lilian Corbeille |
| Music by | Yom |
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Release date |
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Running time | 113 minutes |
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In a Whisper (French: À voix basse) is a 2026 drama film written and directed by Leyla Bouzid. A French–Tunisian co-production, the film stars Eya Bouteraa, Hiam Abbas and Marion Barbeau.
The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 13 February 2026, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.[1][2]
Premise
After living for many years in Paris, a young woman returns to Tunisia to attend the funeral of her uncle. Staying in the family home shared by three generations of women, she is confronted with unspoken tensions, resurfacing memories, and shifting family relationships.
Cast
- Eya Bouteraa as Lilia
- Hiam Abbas as Wahida
- Marion Barbeau as Alice
- Feriel Chamari as Hayet
Production
In a Whisper is co-produced by Unité (France) and Cinétéléfilms (Tunisia). The project continues director Bouzid's exploration of family dynamics and personal identity, following her previous feature films As I Open My Eyes and A Tale of Love and Desire.[3]
Release
In a Whisper was selected for the Official Competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on the 13th February, 2026.[4][1]
It is scheduled for theatrical release in Tunisia on April 29, 2026.[3]
Reception
Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as a "quietly effective" drama that examines clandestine homosexuality in Tunisia through both an intimate family portrait and a restrained investigative narrative. Mintzer highlighted Bouzid's approach to intertwining a personal coming-out story with the legacy of repression surrounding a deceased family member, noting the film's focus on generational contrasts within a middle-class Tunisian household.[5] Fabien Lemercier of Cineuropa described the film as a "sophisticated feature" that conducts an intimate examination of a Tunisian family shaped by secrecy, repression, and unspoken truths.[6]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teddy Award | February 20, 2026 | Best Feature Film | Leyla Bouzid | Nominated | [7] |
References
- ^ a b Lang, Robert (2026-02-13). "Berlin Film Festival 2026: 'Sunny Dancer' & 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' Premieres On Day 2". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "The Berlinale unveils the films set to lock horns in its Competition and Perspectives sections". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 2026-01-20. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ^ a b DRISSI, Asma (2026-01-22). "« In A Whisper » de Leyla Bouzid : La voix des silences à la Berlinale". La Presse de Tunisie (in French). Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "À voix basse | In a Whisper | Berlinale". www.berlinale.de. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ Mintzer, Jordan (2026-02-13). "'In a Whisper' Review: Hiam Abbass in an Eloquent Tunisian Drama About Clandestine Homosexuality". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ "Review: In a Whisper". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ^ Yossman, K.J. (February 11, 2026). "Berlinale's Teddy Awards Celebrate 40th Anniversary as Queer Cinema Faces Fresh Threats: 'Globally We're Facing a Backlash'". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
External links
- In a Whisper at IMDb