A Revolution in Four Seasons

A Revolution in Four Seasons is an intimate and inspiring documentary that effectively encapsulates the political and social transformation of Tunisia post the 2011 Jasmine Revolution. A Tunisian-American filmmaker, Jessie Deeter, masterfully packages this transformation into a 87 minutes long portrayal of the clash between secularism and Islamism, the historical patriarchal structure of society, and the struggle for a democratic future. Deeter beautifully paints the portrait of a nation divided yet on the brink of radical change.

The documentary is set against the backdrop of the tumultuous period following the Arab Spring, specifically focusing on the events that happened between 2011 to 2014 in Tunisia- the first country to fall in the Arab Spring and the only one to emerge as a functioning democracy. The film charts the journey of two Tunisian women with dissimilar ideologies and how these have influenced their actions in these vital years of social and political change.

The film brilliantly juxtaposes the viewpoints and lives of its two protagonists - Emna Ben Jemaa and Jawhara Ettis. Both young, educated, Indoctrinated women representing two starkly different visions of the nation's future. Emna Ben Jemaa, who emerges as the secular, liberal blogger and journalist, and Jawhara Ettis, a conservative Islamist teacher and member of the Ennahda party, are on divergent paths, yet both strive for the same goal - a healthier and free Tunisia.

Emna Ben Jemaa, inspired by the call for freedom from tyranny, utilises social media and blogging as her primary tools to voice her secular and liberal perspective, expressing her vehement opposition to religion's involvement in the new constitution and advocating for freedom of speech. On the other hand, Jawhara Ettis, maintains a resilient commitment to religious virtues and aims to integrate these within Tunisia's post-revolutionary identity, while vying for a spot in the constituent assembly that would draft Tunisia's constitution.

The film plunges deep into political debates, deftly highlighting the most sensitive threads that underpin the deeply rooted struggle for identity that lies at the heart of a nation in the throes of change. The narrative arc encompasses everything from political rallies, constitutional debates, to moments of personal love, loss and triumph,

while continuing to depict the balancing act for women in a patriarchal society, regardless of their political beliefs.

The documentary, however, doesn't restrict itself to politics alone. Deeter skillfully and sensitively incorporates the personal lives and struggles of the two women, adding the touch of human vulnerability and strength necessary to truly reflect the situation for Tunisian women over these years. The film blends together the political and personal in such a way that it fosters diplomacy and courage in the face of challenges, individual and national.

Narrated in Arabic with English subtitles, 'A Revolution in Four Seasons’ successfully gives audiences a hard-hitting and deeply empathetic understanding of the realities of the revolution and how it changed the lives of Tunisian women. It spotlights the journey of not just a country striving for democracy, but of women accentuating their voices amidst patriarchal constraints, countering extremism with diverse perspectives, and defying traditional norms, thus reshaping their own narratives.

Throughout the film, Derreter manages to provide a holistic view of the Tunisia revolution, maintaining an empathetic distance from its subjects, but keeping the intensity of emotions intact. This deftly handled film not only imparts a granular perspective on the story of Tunisia’s political birth but offers a passionate meditation on the struggle women worldwide continue to face in articulating their opinions, demanding their rights and merely reclaiming and defining the spaces they inhabit.

A Revolution in Four Seasons resonates beyond Tunisia's borders, speaking volumes about the ongoing struggle and resistance seen worldwide. Rather than claiming one viewpoint as victorious, the film beautifully undersells the message that a healthy democracy is an ongoing discussion, a compromise, and an exchange of ideas. It undeniably presents a complex yet compelling watching experience, stirring emotions, and demanding attention long after the end credits roll.