BEAUTY WILL SAVE THE WORLD Beyond Conflict: Focus on the Middle East

Imagine a beauty pageont “in a country where women are not allowed to bore their skin. Take it a step further – the country has been labeled part of the “Axis of Evil.” Welcome to Libya, home of Miss Net World 2002.

Heralded by the slogan “Beauty will save the world,” the first-ever Libyan pageant was the brainchild of two French entrepreneurs. Private jets ushered 24 beautiful women from around the world into the capitol city of Tripoli. There the young ladies did what pageant contestants do the world over. It’s safe to say, though, that an audience in the private tent of Colonel Qadhofi is not on the agenda of most pageants.

Granted surprising access, filmmaker Pietra Brettkelly captures the innocence of the contestants, contrasting it with daily life in a dictatorship. documentary provides a rare glimpse into a country and its leader, who moves one of the contestants to tears.