Summer in La Goulette

The Muslim Youssef, a ticket inspector of the suburban train which connects Tunis to the ocean, the Jewish Jojo, who sells typical Tunisian sandwiches, and Giuseppe, a fisherman with Sicilian roots who happens to be a Catholic, all live in a cordial and friendly way with their families in the same apartment building in the small coastal city of La Goulette. Just as close as are their teenager daughters, Meriem, Gigi, and Tina, who make a vow in front of the Virgin Mary that they would loose their virginity during that summer in the 60’s. But there’s a detail: this must happen with a boy from a different religion. Their first attempt, on the same day as the wedding of Jojo’s older daughter, ends unsuccessfully for the girls due to their parents’ alertness. This scenario shows the limits of inter-religious relations. While we watch the girls’ aspirations and frustrations, the story also includes the rich Arabian "Hadj" Beji, owner of the apartment buildings in the community, and the famous Claudia Cardinale. Being born in Tunisia, Cardinale became a sex symbol for the youth of that time and they everyone there hopes that she returns some day. That’s the cue for her to make a cameo appearance.

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA