Erige Sehiri’s third feature film, Promised Sky, opened the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film examines migration through the lens of a transcontinental approach, where three women come to understand what belonging truly means as immigrants. Opting out of the traditional narrative style, Sehiri’s latest isn’t always the most cohesive. Yet, with sincere direction and genuine storytelling, Promised Sky feels deeply real and human.

Sehiri chooses to tell the story of transcontinental migration through generations of women coming from different walks of life, social classes, and families. Maria (Aïssa Maïga) is the former journalist-turned pastor with a strong will to do what’s right. After living in Tunisia for 10 years, she’s come to understand the stakes with immigration. Resultingly, she’s opened up her home to other women who just want to create better lives for themselves.

The first is Naney (Debora Lobe Naney), a refugee who fled her Ivorian Coast home to provide a better life for her child. Though she can’t seem to find stable income, her liberated soul is contagious as she lives her life full of spirit and zeal. Then, there’s Jolie (Laetitia Ky), a dedicated student and aspiring engineer who, among this group of women, is the only one who has her documents. Finally, Kenza (Estelle Kenza Dogbo) is the last in the household. Merely a child who survived a shipwreck, she needs the most love and attention in this new livelihood.

Promised Sky is a beautifully human story made by a filmmaker who trusts her team.

Anna Ciennik’s screenplay for Promised Sky has an unspoken message about sisterhood. Through the film’s main women, there’s a sense that they truly care for one another despite having different views and regardless of their statuses in the world. The bonds and connection they share invites a compassionate view of their circumstances despite what one may feel about immigration. It’s an incredibly human story told through the eyes of a filmmaker who simply connected with her surroundings and trusted her actors to do the same.

As the story progresses, the world in which these women exist begin to close in on them as tensions rise in Tunisia. Sehiri, who witnessed real conflict during principal shooting, chose to use this as inspiration for some of her scenes. These moments feel like the reality she observed and worked beautifully with cinematographer Frida Marzouk’s camera to capture the violence with rawness and precision. Just as chaos begins to ensue in their lives due to the turmoil of their surroundings, so does the intensity in the camerawork.

Erige Sehiri’s direction is strengthened by the women in front of the camera.

The greatest strength of Promised Sky lies not in the story—though it is one that ignites deep empathy. It is the performances of the three leads that take it to the level needed to truly feel what these characters are experiencing. That’s mostly due to Sehiri’s trust in her artists, enabling them to bring their authentic expressions through a safe space. Maïga soars beyond expectations, bringing in an energy that feels humbling and forthright. Naney and Ky, who often share scenes together, radiate such a dynamically rich chemistry that it makes you wonder if they are great friends outside this film.

Ultimately, Promised Sky overcomes its own hurdles to deliver a meaningful story full of humanity and perseverance. This is a story about survival and how it oftentimes takes many shapes. It can resemble someone escaping the tumultuous conditions of one’s home country. Or it can present itself as prejudices, unfair treatment, and xenophobia upon arrival at one’s safe haven. Through both lenses, director Erige Sehiri tells this deeply compassionate story in a way that opens the door for better understanding. Most importantly, it amplifies the importance of solidarity—to be able to tap into a strength that others may not have.

Promised Sky premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.