After coming to power on a platform of socialism and nationalism, Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya with an iron fist for four decades. An anti-imperialist, he started out on a mission to unite the Arab and African worlds, but a determination to reform eventually morphed into a personality cult. Power corrupted and he became a highly divisive figure, both domestically and on the world stage. In 2011, protests broke out in Eastern Libya against unemployment and widespread corruption.
Unrest soon escalated into civil war, between supporters of Gaddafi and rebel groups seeking to overthrow his government. This bloody and brutal conflict ended in his undignified demise but also caused huge rifts across Libyan society. Families were torn apart. A brother and sister fought on different sides of the conflict, but after the dust settles she becomes dissatisfied with the way the vanquished are being treated. After A Revolution tells the story of two siblings.
After A Revolution is a blunt and lively portrait of two siblings ripped apart by war, but their biggest battles still lay ahead of them. She is driven into politics, due to dissatisfaction at broken promises and to save his life. He bristles at home, clearly traumatised by what he has witnessed. Attempting to rebuild a shrine and bring up his son, while numbing the pain. A target on his back. Giovanni Buccomino’s film paints a picture of a complex and fragmented country, hurt and bleeding.
After a Revolution screens at CPH:DOX.
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