Leyla Bouzid
Leyla Bouzid’s French-Tunisian drama goes above and beyond the traditional coming of age story, using one girl’s journey to adulthood to explore politics, revolution and state sanctioned violence. As I Open My Eyes, gaining international attention for its portrayal of the Arab Spring, seeks to tackle such a prominent and life altering event through the eyes of its young protagonist: Farah.
I know nothing of cultural revolution. I’ve only had a taste of the violence and hate-speech that must permeate such events, as the majority of Americans have turned their back on the presidential candidate that spews toned-down versions of such rhetoric. Still, it’s been a strange time, with acquaintances openly asking each other where we are going and what we are doing, with a fear that is barely veiled.