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March 20 1956: Tunisia becomes independent. The same year, thanks to President Bourguiba, the Code du statut personnel is promulgated. It grants Tunisian women rights which still have no equivalent in other Arab countries: prohibition of polygamy, of repudiation, implementation of divorce, compulsory schooling for boys and girls, access to free and anonymous contraception. Moreover, in 1963, Tunisian women were granted the right to abortion, several years before French women. But equality, even if it is encouraged by the law, cannot be decreed. Mentalities and social structures still have to evolve. 50 years after Independence, Tunisia is still an exception in the Arab world. The goal of the film is to explain what made this exception possible and beyond, to consider whether it may persist in the present geo-political context.

France - 2005 - 52 mn - Betacam Digital - Colour

Director Feriel Ben Mahmoud Writer Feriel Ben Mahmoud, Nicolas Daniel Camera Pierre Creisson, Yvan Wastiaux Sound Moez Cheikh M'hamed, Walid Ouerghi Editing Nadia Ben Rachid

Production Alif Productions, 57, rue d'Alleray, 75015 Paris, France Tél : +33 (0)1 5608 3200 Fax : +33 (0)1 5608 3201 E-mail : alif.productions@wanadoo.fr with the  participation of France 5

Sales Alif Productions, 57, rue d'Alleray, 75015 Paris, France Tél : +33 (0)1 5608 3200 Fax : +33 (0)1 5608 3201 E-mail : alif.productions@wanadoo.fr