El-Kotbia (The Bookshop), takes place at bookstore, and at the home of the family who owns it. Jamil (Ahmed El-Haffiene) goes to work for Tarek (Yadh Beji), and is given room and board as the store as part of the arrangement. Tarek's wife, Lelia (Hend Sabri), harbors dreams of becoming a professional singer, and is in conflict with her mother-in-law, Aicha (Martine Gafsi). Aicha is flamboyant by nature, leading to speculation from townspeople about the exact nature of her friendship with Jamil.