A Revolution in Four Seasons

A Revolution in Four Seasons (2016) was produced and directed by Jessie Deeter. It's an interesting documentary about Tunisia after the Arab Spring. The film is loaded with information about Tunisian politics since 2011. However, director Deeter has chosen to focus on two remarkable women. Both women are courageous, capable, and self-sacrificing. You would be proud to know either of them. The problem is that they are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.

One, Jawhara Ettis, is an official in Ennahda, the Islamist party. She sees Tunisia as a democracy, but guided by Islamic principles. (Perhaps like Pakistan.) The other, Emna Ben Jemaa, is a leader in the opposition secular party. She sees Tunisia as a democracy, guided by free speech and open debate. (Perhaps like France, or Sweden, as she tells us.)

The movie shows us what each woman did to support her cause, and the cause of democracy, over the next four years. It's not easy being a woman in a patriarchal society, and it's not easy being a mother and wife when you're a political activist. Seeing how each woman copes is what makes the film satisfying, yet somewhat sad.

The Tunisian political situation is complicated and volatile. There is the continuous threat of police violence and terrorist violence. A coup is always a possibility (although it hasn't happened as I write this review in March, 2017).

We saw this movie at the wonderful Little Theatre in Rochester, NY, as part of their Women's History Month Film Series. The movie will work well on the small screen if you can't see it in a theater. My suggestion is to find it and see it.