Beach Café

Driss (Embarek), a young Moroccan, happens across a makeshift wooden shack on a beautiful but remote beach. The owner, Fouad (Nolot), sells tea to the occasional visitor. Driss befriends the older man, although his affection is far from reciprocated. Indeed Fouad repays his gifts with malice and deceit. André Téchiné co-wrote this simple, resonant character piece with director Graffin from Paul Bowles' transcription of a Moroccan short story. If it's not quite in the Claire Denis league, it is one of those atmospheric and sensual vignettes that lodges in the memory.