A Tale of Love and Desire

Ahmed, 18, French of Algerian origin, grew up in the suburbs of Paris. At university, he meets Farah, a young Tunisian girl, full of energy, who has just arrived in Paris. While discovering a collection of sensual and erotic Arab literature he never imagined existed, Ahmed falls head over heels in love with Farah, and although literally overwhelmed with desire, he will try to resist it. A true lesson on love, A Tale of Love and Desire is above all the sensitive story of Ahmed’s sensual awakening. This enchanting second feature film features brilliant performances by young acting duo Zbeida Belhajamor and Sami Outalbali. Leyla Bouzid brings all our senses into fusion to bring us a delicate coming-ofage story that masterfully redefines the words of its title in all of their inherent duality.

Keywords

  • Cannes: La Semaine de la Critique
  • César 2022
  • Festival de Cannes
  • First Love
  • Maghreb Cinema
  • Romantic Movies
  • erotic
  • literature

Actors

  • Sami Outalbali
  • Zbeida Belhajamor
  • Diong-Kéba Tacu
  • Mathilde La Musse
  • Aurélia Petit
  • Mahia Zrouki

Director

  • Leyla Bouzid

Drama, Romance


1h 42min


-12

FR

France
Tunisia
2021
Ahmed, 18, French of Algerian origin, grew up in the suburbs of Paris. At university, he meets Farah, a young Tunisian girl, full of energy, who has just arrived in Paris.

Ahmed, 18, French of Algerian origin, grew up in the suburbs of Paris. At university, he meets Farah, a young Tunisian girl, full of energy, who has just arrived in Paris.


While discovering a collection of sensual and erotic Arab literature he never imagined existed, Ahmed falls head over heels in love with Farah, and although literally overwhelmed with desire, he will try to resist it. A true lesson on love, A Tale of Love and Desire is above all the sensitive story of Ahmed’s sensual awakening.


This enchanting second feature film features brilliant performances by young acting duo Zbeida Belhajamor and Sami Outalbali. Leyla Bouzid brings all our senses into fusion to bring us a delicate coming-ofage story that masterfully redefines the words of its title in all of their inherent duality.

Festivals

Cast & Crew