VIVA PARADIS

Viva Paradis captures a moment in a land, Tunisia, in the midst of transformation. From an abandoned luxury hotel and the ruins of Carthage to the traces of the recent revolution.

The fighting is over, but what now? From March 10-16, 2011, filmmaker Isabelle Tollenaere recorded the peace following the revolution, by making images of the tourism industry. In the enormous hotel, the first guests have returned to enjoy this artificial paradise, in search for the sun, as in the Tunisia of yesterday. A group of dancers in military costumes perform their repertoire at night for an almost empty hall. The chic patio, swimming pool and billiard room are deserted. Outside, the void left after the revolution is also omnipresent. Everything seems to be motionless. Tunisians wander around the ruined estate of the former dictator. On a damaged wall, we can read the words "Thank you Facebook".

Viva Paradis portrays the tension between revolution and tourism, change and conservatism, and the ruins of ancient and recent history.