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Halfaouine (The Roof Hopper) -- page one

(VHS cover from the UK)

Halfaouine

(the roof hopper)

Selim Boughedir as Noura

An Algerian film covering a young boy's first faltering steps towards adulthood. Noura is an innocent boy who suddenly finds himself interested in all things to do with the opposite sex, a difficult event in an Islamic nation where the sexes are separated at adulthood.

It is amazing that this film was ever made at all, given its taboo subject matter.

Not surprisingly, it is rarely shown in Algeria even though it covers a difficult subject sympathetically.

Taboo breaking film, November 9, 2000
Reviewer: reteip
This truly taboo-breaking film is the first from one of the Arab world's leading film critics, Ferid Boughedir. Warm, sensual and witty, it chronicles a 12-year-old boy's sexual awakening in Muslim Tunisia. Small for his age, Noura has always accompanied his mother to the ladies' Turkish baths. But now, he's not so young that his eyes don't wander to the half-naked women who ignite his imagination. Too old to spend much time with the women who have pampered him for years, he's still too young for the company of men. When released, the talk was over the way it broke new ground in Arab cinema. But with its earthy sensuality, compassion and humor, Halfaouine also became one of the most exquisitely told coming-of-age tales in recent years.

You have to watch this movie, March 16, 2000
Reviewer: A viewer from Kerkennah, Tunisia
This is one of the best movies that the Tunisian cinema has produced. It shows you the inside of the Hammem which is a place where women gather to take a two hour bath at least. They all get naked and the little kid Nora (Slim Boughedir) goes inside and tries to discover the real world of the apples, oranges and cantaloupes....

One of the best books to know North African culture., 12 December, 2000
Reviewer: A viewer from London

This movie introduces foreigners to the Tunisian way of life through this popular quarter of Tunis villa. Plenty of emotions, culture, and history. Highly recommended.

(The men at Nora's little brothers circumcision ceremony.)

(The women at Nora's little brothers circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora's at his little brothers circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora's friends at his little brothers circumcise ceremony flirting with the girls.)

(Nora's friend/mentor preforming at his little brothers circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora's friends befalling the fury of Nora's father at his little brothers circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora's listening to his little brother crying before his circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora's little brothers at his circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora's listening to his little brother crying before his circumcise ceremony.)

(The cut is done.)

(Nora's listening to his little brothers screams as the cut is made.)

(Nora's aunt hearing his little brothers screams as the cut is done.)

(Nora's Mother hearing her sons screams as the cut is done.)

(Nora sleeping after the circumcise ceremony is over.)

(Nora's Mother receiving guest after her sons circumcise ceremony.)

(Nora sneaking a look at the new servant girl.)

(The new servant girl sleeping.)

(Nora sneaking a closer look at the new servant girl.)

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