As in his earlier Halfaouine-Child of the Terraces (see January 23), Férid Boughedir here creates a generous and sensual picture of the good life in a time and place where, despite poverty, harmony reigns. It is the summer of 1967-before the Six Day War-in La Goulette, a port village near Tunis, where Muslims, Jews and Christians live together in friendship. Three friends-Youssef, Jojo, and Giuseppe-also happen to be the possessive fathers of three nubile sixteen-year-olds. When the girls begin flirting with boys of the other religions, the cross-cultural amity of the dads breaks down. Moreover, unbeknownst to their elders, the girls have made a pact, not only to reject the suitors their families have selected, but to lose their virginity before reaching seventeen. Meanwhile, the people of La Goulette brace for impending events-not war, but the return of their most treasured prodigal daughter, the actress Claudia Cardinale. "A wonderfully sly comedy full of warmth, wit, and an exuberant love of pleasure." (Toronto Festival '96)