You Promised Me the Sea

You Promised Me the Sea (original French title: L'air de la mer rend libre) is a 2023 French drama film written and directed by Algerian-born French filmmaker Nadir Moknèche. Set in Rennes, in the Brittany region, the story centers on a young woman torn between the arranged marriage her family expects of her and her own wish to build an independent life. The cast is led by Lubna Azabal and also features Kenza Fortas, Zinedine Soualem, Zahia Dehar and Karina Testa. Through a contemporary family of immigrant background in France, the film explores the friction between personal freedom and inherited tradition. Bertrand Gore produced the film, with a score composed by jazz saxophonist Samy Thiébault. Running around ninety minutes, it premiered in August 2023 before opening in French cinemas in early October of the same year.