Lebanon – Let's Talk About Movies

Lebanese Movies Worth Seeing On Netflix

November 4, 2020

A lot of Lebanese movies have finally found a home on Netflix, but not every movie is worth your time and effort. So to make your life a tiny bit easier, I thought I’d recommend a few films that really stood out for me over the years.

1- Very Big Shot (Film Kteer Kbeer) [2015]
One of the finest Lebanese crime dramas of the decade, “Very Big Shot” gained a cult following since its release, and understandably so. This is a first-rate film with great performances all around. Alain Saadeh is phenomenal as a small-time drug dealer who has the impossible task to smuggle drugs across the border. His plan? Hire a filmmaker (Fouad Yammine, in a role of a lifetime) to shoot a “fake” movie as an attempt to cover for his real plan. With twists and turns at every corner, the film will keep you pinned to your seat from start to finish. Best of all, you’ll find yourself revisiting it every now and then just for Saadeh’s unforgettable performance.

2- Khabsa (What Did I Mess) [2018]
I have seen this comedy 4 times already, and it gets better every time. Shady Hanna directs this hilarious movie set around a dinner table. Nayla (Rola Beksmati) is in love with Fares (Junaid Zeineddine). Problem is: they are no longer together. As an attempt to win him back, she invites him to dinner to introduce him to…wait for it…her fiancé Silvio! (Abboudy Mallah). This is a set-up for a comedy that keeps throwing gags at you, even when you know there’s nowhere else it can do. “Khabsa” gets it right from start to finish. It’s one of the funniest Lebanese films you’ll see on Netflix.

3- Solitaire (Mahbas) [2017]
Think “Meet The Parents” but set in a Lebanese village. That’s the easiest way to describe “Mahbas”, a well-made, constantly entertaining comedy that earns the “crowd-pleaser” status. Sophie Boutros directs a likable cast in a film that never looks down on its audience.This is escapism at its best.

4- Whispers [1980]
Maroun Bagdadi’s “documentary “Whispers” feels like a powerful punch to the gut, even in 2020. The film follows a Lebanese poet who takes a road trip across a country devastated by war. Watching Beirut in ruins is no easy task, but it’s Bagdadi’s poet eye that makes “Whispers” a film worth checking out.

5- Heritages [2014]
For writer/director Philippe Aractingi, devising a film that follows his decision to leave his home country for yet another time during the 2006 war couldn’t have been easy. And if “Heritages” is less than perfect, it’s still pretty powerful. The fact that it’s a personal journey featuring his entire family makes it all the more impressive. Aractingi works so well with his family that everything seems genuine and naturalistic, even the scenes involving his young children, which are quite remarkable. By making his points in the context of a vivid, authentic story he has created an exceptional film that’s hard to forget.

6- Ghadi [2013]
Every detail of this modest movie is well thought out and executed, from the spot on casting to the heartwarming story. Georges Khabbaz plays a music instructor living in a typical Lebanese neighborhood with his wife and 3 kids. His only boy, Ghadi, suffers from Down Syndrome and is mocked by the entire neighborhood. Khabbaz and co wanted to turn a serious social issue into a crowd-pleasing movie. The result is a film that’s funny and extremely moving at times, not to mention unusual. “Ghadi” was a hit at the time of its release, and it’s a perfect time to revisit it on Netflix.

More (popular) movies: Caramel [2007], Where Do We Go Now? [2011], Capernaum [2018], West Beirut [1998], Zozo [2007], Bosta [2005]

Capharnaüm [2018] ★★★

September 13, 2018

It took one film back in 2007 to put Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki on the international map permanently. Now she’s back with a new film that’s unlike anything she’s done before. “Capharnaüm” is Labaki’s third feature film as a director, and she shot it in documentary-like fashion, making us believe her “actors” aren’t playing characters at all but going about their business as if a camera wasn’t present. That’s no easy feat, and even if the film trips on its ambition at times, it’s still a tremendous achievement for a filmmaker who has a keen eye for detail. To avoid spoilers, I’ll only say that the film focuses on a young child (brilliantly played by Zain Al Rafeea) who decides to sue his parents for bringing him into this world. Labaki uses flashbacks to explore the dark side of the child’s environment: the miserable conditions in which he was forced to live in, his relationship with his parents, and his everyday life in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Lebanon. All this can make you squirm in discomfort at times, mainly because it feels real. Scratch that. It is real. These are real people with real problems, and it’s so easy to relate to their feelings and their actions at every turn of this gripping drama. There are no real “villains” here, just victims of terrible conditions. And just like real life, what happens is almost impossible to predict. “Capharnaüm” has the power to shake you. It’s as powerful as a punch to the gut.

REVIEW ON MOVIE COURT

INTERVIEW WITH NADINE LABAKI

The Insult [2017] ★★★½

September 6, 2017

Lebanese filmmaker Ziad Doueiri needs no introduction, having directed a series of successful films over the years. While “West Beirut” will forever remain my favorite movie, his latest effort, “The Insult”, further confirms his skill as a talented storyteller. In short: it’s one of the most intense Lebanese movies I’ve ever seen. What makes “The Insult” so good is the way Doueiri takes a seemingly ordinary situation and builds a web of suspense around it. Adel Karam (in one of the best performances of his career) plays Toni, a Lebanese christian who can’t seem to let go of the past. One day, he gets into a heated argument with a Palestinian worker (played by an excellent Kamel El Basha), which leads to a domino-like sequence of unpredictable events. Doueiri masterfully explores the dark side of each character, especially as it relates to patriotism, politics, and the consequences of taking revenge. I’d say this is Doueiri’s specialty, and the sense of discomfort he creates throughout this exceptional film will hold you in its grip at every turn. And when it ends, it leaves us with much food for thought, something that’s been missing from most recent Lebanese films. Having been criticized so many times for not supporting local movies, it’s refreshing to finally encounter something worth recommending. Ziad Doueiri’s “The Insult” is a terrific achievement.

REVIEW ON MOVIE COURT

NDU INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL [2016]

November 23, 2016

It was such an exciting experience to attend this year’s edition of the NDU international film festival, sponsored by Bank of Beirut. The festival has been going strong since it was first introduced back in 2006, showcasing some of the finest young filmmakers in the country. I’ve been attending the festival for several years now, but this time was certainly different as I had the chance to interview some of these young talents and discuss their movies.

The opening ceremony featured a heart-warming tribute to one of Lebanon’s greatest filmmakers: Nadine Labaki. What followed was a week filled with short movies, both local and international. At the end of each day, the public voted for their favorite Lebanese movie, and the winners (5 in total) all won cash rewards, courtesy of Bank of Beirut. In addition to that, filmmaker Elie Salameh won a trip to Cannes and a trophy for his impressive work in “Fly My Love”.

Below you can watch the interviews that were held at the closing ceremony and in which I got to interview the winners of the public vote.

A powerful documentary that follows the story of Fatat and her son, who escaped the war in Syria and settled in Lebanon. By tackling this sensitive subject, filmmaker Ibrahim Harb has managed to create one of the most memorable experiences of the festival. Harb’s future plans are already in the works as he plans to make a sequel to his documentary.

Anthony Khawand’s love for documentaries is reflected in his hilarious and heartfelt movie about a barber who admired Elvis Presley so much, he named his barbershop “Salon Elvis”. You’ll sing, you’ll laugh and you may even cry just a little bit. “Salon Elvis” was definitely one of the highlights of the festival.

Suspenseful and thrilling, “Turning Point” by Gerard Daccache is living proof that short movies can be blueprints for future feature films. With the award he received and the exposure he deserves, Daccache may even plan to direct his own thriller in the future. I, for one, cannot wait.

Movies about Lebanese rock bands is something that we’ve never seen before, which makes “T-Sharp” by Rami Lattouf all the more refreshing.

Filmmaker Elie Salemeh won a trip to Cannes, courtesy of Bank of Beirut, for his impressive work in “Fly My Love”, which focused on the relationship between a mother and his son. Talking in front of the audience at the closing ceremony, Salameh vowed to use this award as an inspiration for his future projects.

Waves ’98 [2015]

July 21, 2015

Ely Dagher’s Waves ’98 deservedly won the top prize at the Cannes film Festival, the Palm D’Or in the short film category. The script has few spoken words, relying on visual impressions that connect a young man called Omar to a world he never knew existed. Dagher links the intimate story to the surreal one by creating miracles of light and shadow. Sure, he’s overreaching. Most great filmmakers do. No wonder his movie beat hundreds of other films to claim the big prize. Shot with a poet’s eye, Dagher’s film is a groundbreaker for Lebanese filmmakers, a personal vision that dares to reach for the stars. Congrats on your achievement Ely and best of luck in your future endeavors (a feature film maybe?).

Heritages [2014] ★★★

March 26, 2014

For writer/director Philippe Aractingi, devising a film that follows his decision to leave his home country for yet another time during the 2006 war couldn’t have been easy. And if “Heritages” is less than perfect, it’s still pretty powerful. The fact that it’s a personal journey featuring his entire family makes it all the more impressive. When it opens, Aractingi explains why he wanted to make this movie. We learn more about his ancestors and how they were forced to flee wars in Lebanon for many generations. It’s not really that simple, of course. But there have been real tragedies here, from the fall of the Ottoman empire to the Lebanese civil war. Aractingi refuses to take sides. He simply wants to show us that there are no absolute good guys or bad guys on either side of this ongoing struggle. In a poignant scene, he recalls one of his childhood friends, Sami, who died during the war. The scene’s emotional honesty is relatable and universal. But that’s just one of the things that make “Heritages” so good. When a film covers subject material that is highly emotional for the filmmaker himself there is always the chance that he will overplay his hand and become overly sentimental. Luckily, the movie dodges all of that. What’s more, Aractingi works so well with his family that everything seems genuine and naturalistic, even the scenes involving his young children, which are quite remarkable. By making his points in the context of a vivid, authentic story he has created an exceptional film that’s hard to forget.

Rating: 3/4

طالع نازل (Stable Unstable) [2013] ★★½

January 21, 2014

It’s been a hectic month at the movies. I’ve seen a lot of good films and some terrible ones as well. “Stable Unstable”, the latest Lebanese film from writer/director Mahmoud Hojeij (in his feature debut) falls somewhere in between. It’s far from being perfect, yet as a showcase for a host of talented Lebanese actors, it remains potent and entertaining. Hojeij has assembled an impressive cast and given them interesting roles to play. It’s a treat to watch Camille Salameh, Nada Abou Farhat, Fadi Abi Samra and a fine supporting cast in this amusing social piece set in an apartment building in Beirut. The premise involves several characters who start their last day of the year visiting their psychologist. Over the course of the day, old wounds are reopened and layer by layer, we learn more about their problems. When the day is over, it’s up to the individuals to decide what they should do next. The cast couldn’t be better, and each one gets a chance to shine. And if the whole isn’t quite as a good as the sum of its parts, I’m not inclined to complain. It’s still a brave try by Hojeij. Of course I can’t place his film on the same level as some of the finest Lebanese films ever made, but I also can’t dismiss it out of hand. All I can say is that it entertained me. If you admire these Lebanese actors as much as I do, and appreciate the director’s mindset, I think you will feel the same way.

Rating: 2.5/4

Ghadi [2013] ★★★

November 1, 2013

As a writer, actor and observer of Lebanese way of life, Georges Khabbaz just keeps getting better and better. Now he offers us “Ghadi”, a remarkably entertaining and thoughtful movie, and a solid feature debut behind the camera for Amin Dora, who directed the series “Shankaboot” a few years ago. Every detail of this modest movie is well thought out and executed, from the spot on casting to the wonderful sound and music. Khabbaz also plays the main character, Leba, a music instructor living in a typical Lebanese neighborhood with his wife and 3 kids. His only boy, Ghadi, suffers from Down Syndrome and is mocked by the entire neighborhood. Revealing more about the story would require me to enter spoiler territory. Suffice to say that much like “Habbet Loulou”, Khabbaz and co wanted to turn a serious social issue into a crowd pleasing movie. Unlike “Habbet Loulou” (which failed miserably), “Ghadi” actually works, spectacularly, if I may say so. Much of it has to do with the likability of its stars. Khabbaz gives an unforgettable performance, but Dora has filled his picture with colorful and interesting characters. Some people might find the story’s resolution a bit too predictable, but I thought the movie as a whole was extremely funny and moving, not to mention unusual. I honestly loved it and the people in it. It’s a rare instance of a Lebanese movie I look forward to watching it a second time. And I hope it’s the smash hit it deserves to be.

Rating: 3/4

Habbet Loulou [2013] ★★

October 8, 2013

What were they thinking? I kept asking myself that question as I plodded through the watchable but pointless first hour of this new Lebanese comedy/drama. Why bother naming your movie “Habbet Loulou” if the movie itself isn’t worthy of its title? Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that writer director Layal M.Rajha simply wanted to transplant the issues of illegitimate children and prostitution into a crowd pleasing movie filled with comedic moments. Fair enough, as a commercial proposition but you still ought to provide the audience with someone to root for, and this lumbering screenplay offers nothing but unlikable characters. The movie has the right look and feel, but not the right lady in the leading role. Zeina Makki looks good but she isn’t convincing. What’s more, the story has no resonance and when it’s all over, we haven’t learned much or been left with anything to chew on. “Habbet Loulou” has received praise from several people but I found it pointless and too bleak for my taste, right up through the predictable ending.

Rating: 2/4

Taxi Ballad [2012] ★★★

March 13, 2012

Do you want to see a movie about a taxi driver who learns valuable lessons in life? Probably not. Which means you’re in luck. Because director Joseph Daniel (in his film debut) doesn’t do things by the numbers. Instead, he builds his movie from the inside out. Character comes first. Talal Jurdi, who plays our main character, is the best friend a comedy movie can have. The guy’s a treat to watch. He plays Youssef, the village boy who decides to give the big city a chance by working as a cab driver. “I’m gonna be the best taxi driver in Beirut” he says at some point. But before that, the movie hops back and forth in time through different time periods. First, we meet Youssef as a young boy growing up in his small village. Then we see him years later, almost engaged, before his girlfriend ditches him for another guy. I was captivated during those early scenes, and from then on, the movie offers a completely satisfying experience, even when I knew that the story had nowhere else to go. Talal Jurdi has established his bona fides in a variety of films and television shows, but he’s never had a showcase quite like this before, a starring role that offers him a character with many colors and facets to explore. He’s one tough taxi driver, and we believe it, but there are many feelings he suppresses. Karina Logue displays easygoing charm as his only friend in the city, whom he keeps at arm’s length. Badih Abou Chakra, Hiam ABou Chedid and the late Mahmoud Mabsout bring solidity to their supporting roles. But it’s Firas Barakat who earns special praise as a young Youssef. What does it all mean you might wonder? It’s not how the plot plays out that counts, it’s how Daniel Joseph keeps it real. Which means he takes his time, at first letting us feel as lost and ungrounded as Youssef himself.

There’s a lot of fun waiting at “Taxi Ballad”, but it’s the feelings that run through every scene that’ll make you glad you came. It doesn’t break new ground, nor does it pretend to…but it does offer a completely satisfying experience, which is more than many slick Hollywood movies can claim so far this year. I suggest you give it a chance.

Rating: 3/4