Very much in keeping with the increasingly ambitious depiction of women in Iranian cinema, this Tunisian drama suggests a gradual liberalisation of gender politics in the Islamic world.
It's just a shame that the rambling narrative reduces too many incidental characters to ciphers. It also prevents a ready identification with the excellent Jendoubi's resourceful heroine, who survives trauma after trauma to find happiness with a smalltown doctor.
However, director Ghorbal compensates with a frank look at the surprisingly relaxed approach towards sex held by educated women, and the positive picture of the intimate sisterhood that exists within Fatma's circle.