Halfaouine belongs to thecoming-of-age genre, depicting the touchingly baffled response of puberty tofirst desire. Noura, a twelve-year-old boy, is at the crossroads of the separateworlds of men and women. Still young enough to go to the women's baths with hismother, he will soon be banished from this paradise of warm eroticism into theharsher world of men. His transition is aided by two compassionate young women,as well as by the rooftop terraces that link the households of the Halfaouinedistrict. Director Férid Boughedir unveils sexuality in Arab life with ajoy and sensitivity that refuse to recognize the authority of taboo. The directorsaid, "At a time when clichés about Arab culture are more arbitrarythan ever, I am tempted to talk about a Mediterranean society that can still beexperienced today, luxuriant and tender, where humor and eroticism are alwaysprevalent together with tolerance."-Cathy Phoenix, SFIFF '91