This selection of films draws from ArteEast’s ArteArchive to explore the notion of absence–that which is erased, missing or forgotten–as a central theme in the works of Lebanese filmmakers Marwa Arsanios, Ahmad Ghossein, and Ghassan Halwani
Both Marwa Arsanios and Ghassan Halwani use animation as a means to render that which is invisible visible, while Halwani also uses a process of omission and unlayering, both literal and metaphorical, to uncover the buried faces and names of those who went missing during the Lebanese Civil War. Contrary to Halwani’s use of omission, Ahmad Ghossein applies a process of insertion, reintroducing the cut-out silhouette of his father into family photographs, as a means to mark the very present absence of his father during Ghossein’s childhood years. From erasure, to omission and insertion, these works employ different creative devices to render that which is absent present.
My Father Is Still A Communist (2011)
Maream is the mother of four kids. Her husband Rachid worked abroad for more than 10 years. From 1978 -1988, she corresponded with her husband by sending cassettes with people traveling. The cassettes provide intimate and personal details of how a relationship evolves between a couple through the passing of time, and also how a relationship may be changing and challenged, and understood as a direct consequence of the political climate of the country on her everyday life. Maream tries to restore her memory while building her house and watching the kids grow up, in the absence of the father.
About the Filmmaker
Ahmad Ghossein is an artist and filmmaker. He holds an MFA in Visual Art from the National Academy of Art-(KHIO) in Oslo and a BFA in Theater from the Lebanese University, Beirut.
His first feature film, All This Victory won three awards at the Venice International Film Festival’s International Film Critics’ Week (SIC) including the Grand Prize, the Audience award as well as the Award for best Technical Contribution. The film is currently still touring.
- Year2011
- Runtime32 minutes
- LanguageArabic
- CountryLebanon, United Arab Emirates
- DirectorAhmad Ghossein
- ScreenwriterAhmad Ghossein
- ProducerAhmad Ghossein
- Co-ProducerCommissioned by Sharjah art foundation
- CastMyriam hamade, Rachid Ghossein
- CinematographerKaram Ghossein
- EditorVartan Avakian
- AnimatorMazen Hachem
- Sound DesignRamzi Madi
This selection of films draws from ArteEast’s ArteArchive to explore the notion of absence–that which is erased, missing or forgotten–as a central theme in the works of Lebanese filmmakers Marwa Arsanios, Ahmad Ghossein, and Ghassan Halwani
Both Marwa Arsanios and Ghassan Halwani use animation as a means to render that which is invisible visible, while Halwani also uses a process of omission and unlayering, both literal and metaphorical, to uncover the buried faces and names of those who went missing during the Lebanese Civil War. Contrary to Halwani’s use of omission, Ahmad Ghossein applies a process of insertion, reintroducing the cut-out silhouette of his father into family photographs, as a means to mark the very present absence of his father during Ghossein’s childhood years. From erasure, to omission and insertion, these works employ different creative devices to render that which is absent present.
My Father Is Still A Communist (2011)
Maream is the mother of four kids. Her husband Rachid worked abroad for more than 10 years. From 1978 -1988, she corresponded with her husband by sending cassettes with people traveling. The cassettes provide intimate and personal details of how a relationship evolves between a couple through the passing of time, and also how a relationship may be changing and challenged, and understood as a direct consequence of the political climate of the country on her everyday life. Maream tries to restore her memory while building her house and watching the kids grow up, in the absence of the father.
About the Filmmaker
Ahmad Ghossein is an artist and filmmaker. He holds an MFA in Visual Art from the National Academy of Art-(KHIO) in Oslo and a BFA in Theater from the Lebanese University, Beirut.
His first feature film, All This Victory won three awards at the Venice International Film Festival’s International Film Critics’ Week (SIC) including the Grand Prize, the Audience award as well as the Award for best Technical Contribution. The film is currently still touring.
- Year2011
- Runtime32 minutes
- LanguageArabic
- CountryLebanon, United Arab Emirates
- DirectorAhmad Ghossein
- ScreenwriterAhmad Ghossein
- ProducerAhmad Ghossein
- Co-ProducerCommissioned by Sharjah art foundation
- CastMyriam hamade, Rachid Ghossein
- CinematographerKaram Ghossein
- EditorVartan Avakian
- AnimatorMazen Hachem
- Sound DesignRamzi Madi