Set in arid Tunisia, tall and quiet Malik, 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 and is immediately confronted with her expectation that he stay and get married. This now strange world of his youth, his mother's pressure and his barely hidden homosexuality set off anxiety attacks in Malik, who imagines a string around his body from which he cannot escape. He finally finds relief when he meets the darkly handsome handyman, Balil. They begin a tentative relationship, but Islamic mores, a class conscience society and his ever-present mother threaten their young love. It becomes increasingly apparent that Malik’s father knew about his sexuality all along, and it is his mother’s denial that is the last thread holding him back. The String is a forbidden love story, a character study of people lost in rapidly changing cultures, and an engaging, insightful and undeniably sexy drama. The String (Le Fil) Mehdi Ben Attia (France/Belgium/Tunisia, 2009, 93 min.) In French and Arabic, with English subtitles Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, is presenting 54 programs over 10 days from November 4-13, 2010. Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening. Regular Screenings: $10 ($8 members), Matinee Screenings (before 5:00 pm): $8 ($6 members).
ChicagoPride.com Sponsored