Beneath the jasmine, stories of repression in Tunisia

A co production with OMCT World Organization Against Torture & Docu Stories

Repression and torture have been one of the axes of oppression under Bourguiba's and then Ben Ali's regime. Political activists, human rights activists, supporters of freedom expression, students and citizens were victims of violence, abuse, harassment, psychological and physical torture.

Before the uprising of December 2010-January 2011, Tunisia remained a favorite country for international tourism where jasmine decorated postcards. After the revolution of January 2011 and the establishment of a regime based on values of democracy and freedom, Tunisia is now facing its history.

"Beneath the Jasmine" tells the story of this trauma. "Once torture is institutionalized, it is the violence of the State that takes over your body [...] It is like an indelible imprint that marks you like a slave, a memory that lives in you for life said Zeineb Cherni.

But this work also tells the extent of this collective trauma in a shared history that crossed Tunisia since its independence until today.

I wanted to understand the inner workings of dictatorship in its most enslaving form, domination over bodies and minds to prevent any form of protest and expression against a well-established system.

From these dark pages of the history of Tunisia always appears a glimmer. A message of hope to affirm to the old and new generations that reconciliation is necessary. But for that, these stories must be brought to light, preserved and shared. To never forget and to fight against this phenomenon which, even if it is not institutionalized any more, continues to be practiced in all impunity.