West Beyrouth (1998) ( Beyrouth Al Gharbiyya ) ( West Beirut )

West Beyrouth (1998) (DVD) (*)

$40.99

Original Title: Beyrouth Al Gharbiyya
Alternate Title: West Beirut
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Cannes Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
Arabic ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Subtitles )
French ( Subtitles )
German ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Switzerland ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
105 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1998 and produced in:
Belgium ( France, Benelux )
France ( France, Benelux )
Lebanon ( Africa, Middle East )
Norway ( Scandinavia, Iceland )

Directed By:
Ziad Doueiri

Written By:
Ziad Doueiri

Actors:
Rami Doueiri ..... Tarek
Mohamad Chamas ..... Omar
Rola Al Amin ..... May
Carmen Lebbos ..... Hala, Tarek's mother
Joseph Bou Nassar ..... Riad, Tarek' father
Lialiane Nemri ..... Neighbor
Leïla Karam ..... Brothel Madam
Hassan Farhat ..... Roadblock Militiaman
Mahmoud Mabsout ..... Baker
Fadi Abou Khalil ..... Bakery Militiaman
Aïda Sabra ..... School Principal

Synopsis:

Lebanese writer Ziad Dolueiri made his directorial debut with this French-Lebanese-Belgian-Norwegian co-production, an autobiographical drama with Arabic and French dialogue. In 1975, after self-confident Tarek (Rami Doueiri, the director's brother) witnesses the start of civil war, he and his pal Omar (Mohamad Chamas) are picked up by Tarek's mother Hala (Carmen Lebbos), a lawyer married to Riad (Joseph Bou Nasser). The next day, Hala is ready to flee, but Riad refuses. With school closed, Tarek and Omar are free to roam about, and they're joined by their new neighbor, May (Rola Al Amin). However, the reality of the war soon intrudes. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

In April, 1975, civil war breaks out; Beirut is partitioned along a Moslem-Christian line. Tarek is in high school, making Super 8 movies with his friend, Omar. At first the war is a lark: school has closed, the violence is fascinating, getting from West to East is a game. His mother wants to leave; his father refuses. Tarek spends time with May, a Christian, orphaned and living in his building. By accident, Tarek goes to an infamous brothel in the war-torn Olive Quarter, meeting its legendary madam, Oum Walid. He then takes Omar and May there using her underwear as a white flag for safe passage. Family tensions rise. As he comes of age, the war moves inexorably from adventure to tragedy.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 29 July, 2018.

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