Une histoire d’amour et de désir

When Farah and Ahmed meet for the first time at the Sorbonne, there is an immediate spark. A literature course on erotic Arabic poetry brings the Tunisian, who has just arrived in Paris, and the Algerian-French secondo closer together. But during their first night together, it becomes apparent that Farah's free-spiritedness and willingness to experiment is at odds with Ahmed's conservative notion of corporeal purity. Overwhelmed by the situation, Ahmed tries to suppress his desire. Using sensual images, director Leyla Bouzid explores various "Arab" notions of sexuality, as well as the complex interstices of love and sex. (Zurich Film Festival)