Beity | From Beirut to Space: Lebanese Shorts

Expired November 29, 2021 7:45 AM

Already unlocked? for access

Protected ContentThis content can only be viewed in authorized regions: North America.

Sponsored by Alefb, the playful way to learn the Arabic language and culture

This program of short films from Lebanon explores the stories of the Lebanese people and their multifaceted lives and experiences. While all tinged with political unrest and socio-economic issues, their stories are vast and varied. From films grounded in this difficult reality to imaginative explorations of love, dreams and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, these shorts reinforce the unshakeable spirits and boundless creativity of the Lebanese people, even through difficult times.

This program includes the following films:

Roadblock (France, Lebanon) dir. Dahlia Nemlich

Tamouzi (Lebanon) dir. Ali Dekmak

Beity (Lebanon) dir. Isabelle Mecattaf

How My Grandmother Became a Chair (Lebanon) dir. Nicolas Fattouch

Light Fingers (Lebanon) dir. Carina Ashkar

Will You Bury Me (Lebanon) dir. Noor Eldine Aboud

Space Woman (France, Lebanon) dir. Hadi Moussally

Roula is a rich woman living in a lavish house in Batroun, Lebanon. Today is the first day of winter break, and she anxiously awaits her daughter's return home. When Leila, the help's daughter, returns home alone, Roula becomes jealous, erratic, and acts against the household staff.

About the filmmaker:

Isabelle is a French-Lebanese Filmmaker based in New York City. She studied English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania, after which she worked on big productions, such as The Post (Spielberg, 2018) and smaller independent projects. She is currently a third year Graduate Film Student at the Tisch School of the Arts, where she has produced short films in NY, Paris and LA. Her first short film Paulette dans Paris (2016) has won awards at film festivals worldwide.

Year
2021
Runtime
15 minutes
Language
Arabic
Country
Lebanon

Director
Isabelle Mecattaf
Screenwriter
Isabelle Mecattaf
Producer
Diane Daccache, Oriana Ng
Cast
Julia Kassar, Nawal Kamel, Mohamad Akil, Pierre Dagher, Marie-Lou Nahhas, Cathy Chami, Camille Mallat
Editor
Isabelle Mecattaf
Production Design
DD, Maria Ousseimi, Lina Younes
Sound Design
Lara Zakhour, Firas Chidiac, Toco Vervisch

8 films in package

Roadblock

On her way back from a protest a Lebanese activist, and her French-Lebanese boyfriend are stopped at a roadblock held by two armed militiamen who have a bone to pick with them.

Tamouzi

A 10 year old boy who is obsessed with ninja turtles risks everything for his beloved video game during a bombing.

Beity

A mother awaiting the return of her daughter spends the day smoking and tormenting the household staff so as not to face her pain.

How My Grandmother Became a Chair

Grandmother loses her five senses one after the other until she transforms into a wooden chair.

Light Fingers

In an attempt to runaway from their problems, Omar and Sahar find themselves stuck in an unusual repetitive cycle.

Will You Bury Me

A young unorthodox mother and wife, sets out to help her family after her bigoted husband accuses her of hiding money from him.

Space Woman

Maha, in her sixties, decides at the dawn of her retirement life to realize her craziest dream in her own way.

Ido

A Yezidi teenager experiences racism while trying to sell his family's sheep milk.