Benoît Graffin (France)
Not a great deal happens in this second feature by Graffin (Le New Yorker), based on a work by Paul Bowles: Driss, a young street-smart Moroccan in Tangiers, tries to befriend Fouad, a lusty, embittered old man who runs a ramshackle beach café. He brings him mint leaves, kif (the local hallucinogenic weed) and money-making ideas. But instead of gratitude or friendship, Driss seems to earn only contempt. The two-faced Fouad criticizes Driss behind his back, and tries to bed his girl friends. Languidly paced but never boring, the film establishes a strong sense of mood and place. But it never entirely answers the central mystery of Driss's fascination with Fouad and, despite the excellent acting and direction, it leaves one feeling incomplete. - M.P.

(Thurs., Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m., Cumberland 1; Fri., Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m., Cumberland 3)