IN LIBYA, as elsewhere in the Middle East, the Muslim month of Ramadan, which began on June 28th, is a time for frothy imported television dramas served up as a nightly digestive for iftar, the breaking of the fast. But this year a locally produced series tackling the prickly question of who did what before, during and after the country’s revolution of 2011 is prompting more debate—and controversy—than the usual Turkish-made romances.

The makers of “Dragunov”, named after a Soviet-made sniper rifle, believe that their 15-part drama could act as a balm for Libya’s soul as it struggles with the dark legacies of Muammar Qaddafi’s rule and the subsequent bitter divisions that still threaten to tear the country apart. The familiar plot of star-crossed lovers is given a Libyan setting. Muna, whose father died in one of Qaddafi’s most notorious prisons for dissidents, loves Omar, the wealthy son of a general who is staunchly loyal to the old regime. Their story arcs through dictatorship, revolution and the crazy aftermath, painting an unflinching portrait of post-Qaddafi Libya, warts and all.

The young team behind the series, who also produced Libya’s first political satire on television last year, has been accused of bias by all sides and of tarnishing the image of the army. It has also faced criticism for showing female characters (played by Tunisian actors) unveiled and smoking, both still rarely shown on screen in socially conservative Libya. “We expected controversy,” admits Osama Rezg, the director. “Some of the revolutionaries will not like it and some of the former regime people will also not like it, but most Libyans will see it as a reflection of our complicated reality.”

The drama is being broadcast on six national channels at a time when few Libyans see much prospect of reconciliation. The latest attempts at national dialogue—a UN proposal to bring Libya’s myriad power-brokers round a table—foundered before last month’s general election; the new parliament is due to hold its opening session on August 1st. “Everything is so polarised in Libya right now,” says Mr Rezg. “Our series shows not everything was or is black and white. There were good guys and bad guys on both sides but we are all Libyans and we must all learn to live together.”

If only. On July 13th fighting broke out at the international airport outside Tripoli, the capital. An alliance of militiamen, including Islamists and powerful groups from the coastal city of Misrata, attacked militias from Zintan, a mountain town south-west of Tripoli, which have controlled the airport since capturing it during the revolution. Burnt-out aircraft lie on the tarmac; the control tower has been badly damaged. International airlines are unlikely to return soon. Safer for Libyans to stay at home—and watch “Dragunov”.