The Sea Is Behind

The Sea Is Behind

Year: 2014

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: Arabic

Director: Hicham Lasri

Tarik inhabits a desolate, colorless land where water is tainted by unusual "water bugs." He expresses himself through makeup and feminine attire, dancing atop a cart pulled by a failing horse, seemingly neglected by his father. When his horse, Larbi, halts a procession, Tarik is compelled to rediscover life and embrace the vibrancy that can liberate him from his bleak surroundings.

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Timeline & Setting – The Sea Is Behind (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Sea Is Behind (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Coastal homeland, the sea

The story unfolds in a colorless, tightly controlled homeland where public festivities and spectacle shape daily life. Street scenes feature a horse-drawn cart and overt performative traditions that mask deeper coercion. The distant sea beckons as a symbol of freedom beyond the oppressive borders.

🌊 Sea 🏙️ City 🗝️ Oppression

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 09:58

Main Characters – The Sea Is Behind (2014)

Meet the key characters of The Sea Is Behind (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tarek (Malek Akhmiss)

A desperate, disheartened young dancer forced to perform in women’s costumes atop a horse-drawn cart, he endures hostility and misperception from society. He remains vulnerable yet resilient, clinging to the hope of color and freedom while wrestling with fear and stigma. His longing is for dignity and a life beyond exploitation.

🎭 Identity 💪 Resilience 🧠 Trauma

Tarek's father (Hassan Ben Badida)

A controlling figure who exploits his son for spectacle and profit, embodying a brutal clash of tradition and power. His actions reveal a self-serving stubbornness that crushes the boy’s agency. He is a catalyst of conflict whose emotions swing between desperation and regret as the world around him fails.

👨‍👦 Family 💼 Exploitation ⚖️ Control

Police Officer (Salah Bensalah)

A weary officer who empathizes with Tarek, having suffered losses himself. He understands the false narrative around Tarek but is constrained by a hollow system that cannot save him. His quiet kindness stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the regime.

🧭 Moral conflict 🕊️ Hope 🤝 Compassion

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 09:58

Major Themes – The Sea Is Behind (2014)

Explore the central themes of The Sea Is Behind (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝️ Oppression

Tarek lives under a regime and family that weaponize conformity and punish deviation. The police torture bodies to wound souls and enforce obedience. The narrative shows how systemic power corrodes humanity, turning people into instruments of control.

🌊 Freedom

The sea becomes a beacon and a final destination for color and life. Tarek’s decision to seek the coast marks a shift from submission to self-determination, echoing Tariq ibn Ziyad’s historic crossing. The journey toward waves symbolizes reclaiming identity and hope.

🕊️ Compassion within cruelty

The police officer who consoles Tarek embodies a quiet resistance to the system’s brutality. His own traumas reveal how even those with power can be trapped by the same oppressive machinery. Small acts of kindness stand in stark contrast to the machinery of punishment.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 09:58

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Movies like The Sea Is Behind about slow-burn journeys of self-discovery

Characters fight for identity and freedom in bleak, crushing worlds.If you were moved by the bleak, oppressive journey in The Sea Is Behind, explore similar films about characters fighting for identity and freedom against overwhelming odds. These movies share a slow-burning pace, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on personal liberation in harsh, unforgiving worlds.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a character trapped by their environment—be it societal norms, a brutal regime, or a claustrophobic community. The plot revolves around their internal and external struggle to break free, often culminating in an ambiguous or bittersweet moment of release that comes at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped together because they share a core experience: a slow, deeply felt character study set against an oppressive backdrop. The similarity lies in the combination of a heavy, bleak tone, deliberate pacing, and a central theme of seeking personal freedom through profound suffering.

Films similar to The Sea Is Behind where art is an act of defiance

Where creativity and performance become acts of resistance against oppression.For viewers who appreciated the theme of artistic expression as rebellion in The Sea Is Behind, this collection features movies where characters use creativity to resist oppressive environments. Discover similar stories about dance, performance, and art as tools for survival and liberation in bleak settings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on an artist or performer whose very existence is a protest. Their art is both a sanctuary and a provocation, drawing the ire of oppressive forces. The story explores the tension between their inner vibrant world and the external bleak reality, culminating in a moment where their expression becomes a powerful, transformative act.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their specific focus on artistry as a core theme of resistance. They share a visual and emotional contrast between a drab, oppressive setting and the vibrant, defiant acts of the protagonist, creating a powerful and often tragic commentary on the human spirit.

Unlock the Full Story of The Sea Is Behind

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The Sea Is Behind Summary

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The Sea Is Behind Summary

The Sea Is Behind Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Sea Is Behind with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Sea Is Behind Timeline

The Sea Is Behind Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Sea Is Behind Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Sea Is Behind

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