For all its cacophony, Zem’s film feels underdeveloped and incomplete – running out of steam at the 90-minute mark, it ends abruptly with an extended cinematic shrug and turns up the feel-good-tunes to get you toe-tapping out of the theater.

The result is not necessarily as strong as hoped for, but it still packs a good punch, especially when Bouajila unleashes the beast onscreen.

The problems of the family members - miscalculated choices, lack of consideration, self-centeredness - are of their own making: a privilege gifted by class ascension.

Our Ties is a completely contemporary, obviously personal and ultimately uplifting entry in Zem’s wide-ranging filmography.