Lebanese filmmaker explores chaos and resilience in new film

Five⁤ years after triumphing at Venice’s Critics’ Week with ‌his debut All This Victory, Lebanese ‌filmmaker Ahmad Ghossein embarks ⁢on⁤ his next cinematic journey with his⁢ sophomore film, The Side⁢ Effects of Trusting ‍Life. This upcoming film delves deep into the heart of Lebanon’s ongoing turmoil and has​ already gained recognition, winning the Midpoint ‍Consulting Award at the Thessaloniki Film​ Festival’s Agora Crossroads‍ Co-Production ​Forum.

Inspiration amidst chaos

“The new film is challenging because ⁢of what is going on in Lebanon, ‌but I wrote it before ‍it all,” explains Ghossein. He reflects on Lebanon’s ‌complete economic, political, and social collapse in 2019, which he sees as a ⁢stark example of the failings of capitalism and neoliberalism. A striking image of Beirut’s deteriorating banking system amidst the worldwide financial strain sparked his creative process, leading him to craft a narrative infused with dark humor and personal ‌survival instincts.

The poignant storyline

The Side Effects of Trusting Life follows Lama, a young woman who begins experiencing hearing problems due to panic attacks after losing her job during Lebanon’s economic crisis. Advised by doctors to avoid stress-inducing situations,‌ she retreats to⁢ her ⁣village. However, an ever-spiraling⁤ series of events pulls her back into the chaotic heart of Beirut.⁤ The film ⁢is set to be⁣ produced by Lebanon’s ⁤Abbout Productions and co-produced by Germany’s Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion and Norway’s DUO film.

Ghossein paints Lama as a reflection of his experiences, stating, “She becomes powerless after losing her job, witnessing the city’s deterioration while‌ others seek an escape. In⁣ Beirut, nothing​ works—there’s ‌no electricity, water, or money. We are prisoners of that incapacity.” The film promises to offer a tangible ‌insight into the chaos ​ through ⁢highly choreographed⁢ sequences, immersing viewers into this​ fictional Beirut’s palpable⁣ disorder.

A vow reconsidered

Despite his resolve after All ⁣This Victory to avoid the subject of war, Ghossein found himself unable to ignore Lebanon’s ongoing crises. Post-Venice, ⁤the region ⁣faced a series of upheavals: revolution, pandemic, and escalated ​conflicts with Israel. “The revolution started, ‍then COVID, then the war, so I didn’t have the​ space to digest what ​was going on. We need time as filmmakers and space. I need to live to write,” Ghossein reveals.

Yet, with the‌ current climate in Lebanon so intense, Ghossein grapples with whether The Side‍ Effects ⁣of⁤ Trusting Life ‌is his immediate priority. “If you ask me now: ⁣is cinema important? No. There is a war in my country. The priority is to help people.”

Pressures ⁤on ⁤Arab cinema

Ghossein reflects on the pressures faced by ​Arab filmmakers to produce socially dramatic narratives that align ‍with Western perceptions of the Middle East. “People want topics from us, not cinema,”‍ he notes, highlighting the expectations to ⁣create content that fits ‌a⁤ specific narrative for‌ a global audience.

While the Arab⁤ world ⁢is witnessing an increase in co-productions, new funds, and ‌grants, true creative freedom ⁣remains elusive. European producers, despite their growing interest, have not entirely shed the ‌expectation of‍ understanding the‌ region through a lens that infuriates Ghossein: “Even if the word ‘understand’ makes me a little angry.”

Collaboration and synergy

Ghossein values the natural synergy between Greece and Lebanon, particularly with the⁢ return of Greek ‌editor Yannis Chalkiadakis, who previously ‌collaborated with him on All This Victory. There is also the potential for filming​ in ⁤Greece if ⁤circumstances in Lebanon ‍remain‌ unstable.

However, Ghossein remains resolute about filming ⁤authentically.‍ “Greek ‌producers offered to shoot the film here if we weren’t able to shoot next year, but if there is a war in Lebanon, I am not ‌going to shoot anything because I cannot ​shift my focus and film in Greece as if nothing is happening in my home country. It’s impossible.”

Navigating co-productions

While co-production offers tangible benefits​ such as grants, ⁢rebates, and ‍international collaboration, Ghossein remains emotionally tied to Lebanon. The option​ to split filming between Lebanon and Greece is on the⁣ table. But he​ passionately asserts, “A space will tell you⁢ something, it will talk to you in a different way. I am loyal to the ​space and to my country.”

As Ghossein navigates the complex landscape of international filmmaking amidst personal and national crises, his commitment to‍ bringing authentic Lebanese ⁢stories to the global stage remains unshaken. His films act as‍ a mirror to his country’s struggles and resilience, offering audiences a profound, firsthand experience of Lebanon’s ⁢multifaceted reality.

Share this article with your friends and stay tuned for ⁣more updates on Ghossein’s latest projects and the evolving world of Arab cinema.