After his son’s terrorist attack, Azdyne seeks healing – and his granddaughter

Azdyne Amimour’s world was forever altered when, in the wake of the Islamic State attacks on Paris in November 2015, which left 130 people dead and hundreds more injured, he learned that his son Samy was one of the terrorists responsible. Filmed in Paris between 2019 and 2023, this short documentary from the UK director Myriam François follows Amimour as he works to build bridges and forge friendships with those affected by the attacks, notably Georges Salines, whose daughter Lola was one of the victims. As Amimour and his wife Mouna grapple with the pain wrought by Samy’s actions, they also try navigate the complex, years-long process of bringing his young daughter, Alaa, whom they’ve never met, from a camp in Syria to live with them in Paris. A powerful portrait of grief, pain and compassion, the film traces the winding, uncertain paths that healing can take.