Nawfel Saheb-Ettaba's understated debut feature, El-Kotbia (The Bookshop), takes place at bookstore, and at the home of the family who owns it. Jamil (Ahmed El-Haffiene) goes to work for Tarek (Yadh Beji), and is given room and board as the store as part of the arrangement. Tarek's wife, Lelia (Hend Sabri), harbors dreams of becoming a professional singer, and is in conflict with her mother-in-law, Aicha (Martine Gafsi). Aicha is flamboyant by nature, leading to speculation from townspeople about the exact nature of her friendship with Jamil. The Bookshop was screened at the 2003 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi