Halfaouine: Boy of the Terraces

In class we've watched a very strange movie called Halfaouine. I think what struck me the most about the film was the obsession the main character (who is only 13!) has with sex. It excludes all else in his life and yes, he's 13, so he can't be incredibly mature or anything, but it really bothered me when the servant girl he played around with was sent away and all he can do is smile. Another interesting thing in the film was how the men may own the spaces women spend their time, but it was the women in the film who ultimately made the decisions that affected the household. The men may let the girl in, but it's the women who kick her out when her attractiveness becomes a liability. At one point the man of the house tries to kick out his wife's cousin because she wears and does what she wants, but as soon as it's discovered she can contribute to the house, he leaves it alone and she continues to do what she wants.