The String

Class, cultural and sexual differences are explored in this romantic gay drama set in scorching, picturesque Tunisia. Tall, quiet Malik (Antonin Stahly), a 30-year-old Parisian architect, returns to his homeland after the death of his father. He's greeted warmly by his over-bearing, petulant mother (Italian icon Claudia Cardinale) and is immediately confronted with her expectation that he stay and get married. This now strange world of his youth, his mothers pressure and his barely hidden homosexuality set off anxiety attacks in Malik, who finally finds relief when he meets the darkly handsome handyman, Balil (Salim Kechiouche, Full Speed.) They begin a tentative relationship, but Islamic mores, a still class conscience society, and the ever-presence of his mother threaten their burgeoning love. A forbidden love story as well as a character study of people lost in rapidly changing cultures, Le Fil is an engaging, insightful and undeniably sexy drama.