The Tunisian Man of Ashes spotlights Imad Malaal in the role of a terrified bridegroom-to-be. Malaal's aversion to women can be traced back to his youth, when he and his best friend Khaled Ksouri are molested by their male employer. Unable to discuss this violation with their tradition-bound families, Malaal and Ksouri decide to overcome their sexual insecurities by visiting a prostitute. The experience liberates one of the men -- while driving the other to commit murder. Man of Ashes was originally titled Rih Essed.