Exploring the Legacy of Political Choices in "My Father Killed Bourguiba"

In her sophomore feature, "My Father Killed Bourguiba," Tunisian filmmaker Fatma Riahi delves into her father's involvement in a failed coup against Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president, and examines the lasting impact of his political choices on her family. The film, produced in collaboration with Dora Bouchoucha and Lina Chaabane of Nomadis Images and Omar Ben Ali of SVP Production, was selected for the Pitching Forum at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, running from March 5 to 15.

‘My Father Killed Bourguiba’ Explores How a Failed Plot to Overthrow the Government Left a Tunisian Family Struggling to Live With the ConsequencesVariety Magazine

Habib Bourguiba, often referred to as the "father of Tunisia," ruled for three decades following the country's independence from France. While he is recognized for his progressive policies, he was also perceived as authoritarian. Riahi's father, Mabrouk, was part of a conservative faction known as the "Security Group," which sought to overthrow Bourguiba's regime. In November 1987, just before Mabrouk's planned coup, Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali executed his own successful plot, leading to Bourguiba's house arrest and the subsequent imprisonment of Mabrouk and his co-conspirators.

Variety Magazine‘My Father Killed Bourguiba’ Explores How a Failed Plot to Overthrow the Government Left a Tunisian Family Struggling to Live With the Consequences

The aftermath of the failed coup marked a significant turning point for Riahi's family, who faced systematic harassment from the Ben Ali regime due to their association with the coup plotters. Riahi reflected on her family's silence regarding their ordeal, shaped by fear, until the 2011 popular revolt that ousted Ben Ali. This pivotal moment led to the establishment of a Truth and Dignity Commission, where Riahi and her sister testified about their experiences, igniting Riahi's desire to create the film.

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As Riahi navigates her journey into motherhood, she contemplates the legacy of her father's choices and their implications for her children. She aims to avoid passing on trauma and fear, instead fostering an environment where her children can learn about their history and question the past. Riahi expressed her hope that this approach will empower them to be more aware and less silent than previous generations.

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Riahi emphasizes that while her film is deeply personal, it is not strictly political. She aims to explore the complexities of her father's beliefs in contrast to Bourguiba's vision, stating, "Rather than resolving this contradiction, the film allowed me to sit with it and accept its complexity." She hopes that through her work, viewers can come to terms with the divisions that persist in Tunisia today.

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• “Silence was shaped by fear.” — Fatma Riahi, Filmmaker

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• “It was the first time I spoke in front of a camera, in front of strangers, and even in front of my sister, about that period of our family’s history,” — Fatma Riahi, Filmmaker

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• “I try not to pass on trauma, fear or sadness to my children,” — Fatma Riahi, Filmmaker

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"My Father Killed Bourguiba" serves as a poignant exploration of personal and political history, inviting audiences to reflect on the complexities of legacy and the importance of dialogue in understanding the past.

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