Halfaouine: Boy of the Terraces

A young Muslim boy comes of age in Tunisia, experiencing his awakening sexuality and the challenges of adulthood in this warmhearted comedy from Tunisian director Ferid Boughedir. Based in part on his own adolescent experiences, the film follows young Halfouine, a thirteen year-old boy whose baby face hides his already burgeoning sexuality. Unfortunately, Halfaouine's deeply conservative neighborhood, he resides in a very old section of Tunis, strictly forbids sexual curiosity. However, his young looks give him the chance to keep going to the Turkish bath with his mother, where he watches in amazement as the women of the town unselfconsciously lounge naked in his presence. Unfortunately, he is soon banished from the bath for staring at a local beauty. So, Halfouine's interests turn to a young orphan girl comes to stay with his family, beginning a relationship that changes the course of his life.