Walid, a young Black Tunisian boy affected by progressive mutism, finds refuge from his harsh and chaotic reality through the art of magic and illusion. In a country where identity is often dictated by skin colour, Walid navigates a world that frequently misreads him. His extraordinary talent becomes both a gift and a curse when his father begins exploiting his magic tricks for petty thefts and street cons, blurring the line between survival and manipulation. Meanwhile, his mother lives in constant anxiety as the Sub-Saharan migrant crisis intensifies. She fears that Walid, due to his appearance, will be mistaken for a Sub-Saharan migrant and subjected to violence, discrimination, or expulsion.

As the family drifts further apart, the pressures of racism, poverty, and social instability strain their already fragile relationships. Torn between loyalty, fear, and the dream of escape, Walid struggles to find his voice—both literally and metaphorically—in a world that refuses to see him for who he truly is. Through the lens of a child who barely speaks but sees everything, ‘Tkallem’ explores the cost of invisibility, the burden of being misunderstood, and the quiet strength required to survive in a divided society.