It was important for Hotait and Alyan to set the film in an Arab family structure, to fill a gap in representation. “These are things that we haven’t really seen explored much in Arab cinema, especially since our film really deals with mental health within our culture,” Hotait said. “That’s really the main thing that drew me.” “Tallahassee” doesn’t make a fuss of Mira’s heritage; no one ever talks about being Arab. But the film makes an unconcealed nod to the loneliness and secrecy around mental illness, and the crushing solitude of lying. It also hints at（暗示） the healing possibilities of connection, even at the hardest of times—Mira may be too blue to join in when the family sings and dances together, but in quiet moments with a surprising family member she finds ways to be honest, and sometimes to smile.