TÊTES BRÛLÉES takes us on an emotional journey through the eyes of 12-year-old Eya, who is learning to cope with the sudden loss of her brother, Younès. Directed by Maja Ajmia Zellama, the film beautifully captures the delicate ways children process grief and how family dynamics shift during times of loss.
Grief often feels like a heavy weight, and for children, it can manifest in unexpected ways, such as anger, struggles in school, or even physical discomfort like stomach aches. In TÊTES BRÛLÉES, we see how Eya confronts her pain, guided by moments of open and honest connection. The film reminds us how important it is to communicate, especially with children, to help them express and explore their feelings.
Eya’s creativity becomes her lifeline. Through drawing, imagination, and memories, she finds ways to heal and reconnect with herself. These small yet powerful acts of expression show how children can transform pain into strength, finding light even in the darkest moments. While it may be hard for others to fully understand these mechanisms as valid forms of healing, the film shows just how real and helpful they can be.
In response to these coping strategies, we see different approaches to grief in Eya’s relationships. Her brother’s friends treat her as mature and capable, while her family views her as a child in need of care and protection. These contrasting perspectives pull Eya in two directions, forcing her to balance moments of growing up with the comfort of her innocence.
Director Maja Ajamia’s background as a Belgian-Tunisian-Danish filmmaker brings a deeply personal and unique perspective to TÊTES BRÛLÉES . Her storytelling blends cultural richness with the universal language of loss and healing. The result is a heartfelt exploration of how we carry grief differently but still find ways to grow through it.
As TÊTES BRÛLÉES makes its world premiere at Berlinale’s Generation 14plus competition, it leaves a lasting impression. Eya’s story shows us that grief is not just about pain—it is also about finding hope, growing stronger, and rediscovering who we are in the face of loss.
Produced by Komoko and co-produced by Quetzalcoatl and 1080 Films, TÊTES BRÛLÉES is written and directed by the Belgian-Tunisian-Danish director and screenwriter Maja Ajmia Zellama. A graduate of the LUCA School of Arts, Zellama is the co-founder and president of the ASBL Bledarte — a Brussels-based association that promotes the expression and empowerment of immigrant youth through art and culture.
The film is produced by Marc Goyens (HERE, GHOST TROPIC) and Nabil Ben Yadir (ANIMALS), lensed by Grimm Vandekerckhove (HERE, GHOST TROPIC), edited by Dieter Diependaele (HERE, GHOST TROPIC), with Eve Martin handling production design, Marie McCourt casting, and David Vranken sound design. Additionally, the film’s international sales are handled by MAD World while MAD Distribution is in charge of its MENA-wide distribution.
As for the talents in front of the camera, TÊTES BRÛLÉES stars Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra (DIVINES), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama, and Monia Taieb.
