A central theme is the blurred line between reality and the narratives we construct for ourselves.
Bill represents a specific brand of American bravado—he is in France to problem-solve, not to learn. His refusal to engage with the nuances of French culture or the dynamics of the local Arab community leads to a series of moral and tactical failures. Stillwater
The title itself, "Stillwater," acts as a double entendre: it is both Bill's hometown in Oklahoma and an allusion to the proverb "still waters run deep." A central theme is the blurred line between