AllMovie

Though this acclaimed Syrian film has played internationally, it was banned in Syria by censors. It tells the touching, often funny story of a young couple who try to meet in private. Salem divides his time between working at a gas station and rehearsing as an extra at the Damascus' National Theater. He lives with his extended family in a tiny apartment. He has been seeing Nada, a widow who works as a seamstress, for eight months, but has never been alone in private with her as her brothers are very traditional. Salem's friend helps them by offering them use of his apartment for two hours. He hinders the couple, when he refuses to leave gracefully. The rest of the movie focuses upon the conversations and fantasies of the couple as they finally get to be alone.