For your next movie night, why not watch a Lebanese movie? These films cover many subjects: from the Lebanese civil war to the lives of women in Beirut.
These movies tackle social and political issues and show Lebanon from a different perspective.
#1 West Beirut (1998)
Plot: Tarek, Omar, and May are trying to live a normal childhood in a war-torn Beirut.
Director: Ziad Doueiri
Prestigious awards:
- Prix François Chalais at the Directors’ fortnight of the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
- FIPRESCI International Critics’ Award at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival.
#2 Caramel (2007)
Plot: The movie follows the daily lives of five Lebanese women of different ages and social backgrounds in Beirut.
Director: Nadine Labaki
Prestigious awards and nominations:
- Lebanon’s official submission to the 80th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
- Directors’ Fortnight selection at Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
#3 Where Do We Go Now? (2011)
Plot: Tension arises between Christian and Muslim men in a small village in Lebanon. The women decide to take action to settle peace again.
Director: Nadine Labaki
Prestigious awards and nominations:
- Un Certain Regard official selection during Cannes 2011.
- Ecumenical Special Mentions during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
- Won the François Chalais Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
- Won the People’s Choice Award at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival
#4 Rue Huvelin (2011)
Plot: The movie is inspired by a group of university students who started a movement against political oppression in Lebanon.
Director: Mounir Maasri
#5 Ghadi (2013)
Plot: The movie follows the parents of Ghadi who are doing their best to integrate their son who has special needs in society. They trick to the town into believing that Ghadi is an angel.
Director: Amin Dora
#6 The Insult (2017)
Plot: The movie represents the relationship between a Christian Lebanese and a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon. Tony (Adel Karam) and Yasser (Kamel El Basha) have a verbal and physical fight, which leads them to a courtroom.
Director: Ziad Doueiri
Prestigious awards:
- Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Awards at the 2018 Oscars.
- Kamel El Basha won the Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival.
#7 Capharnaüm (2018)
It has not been released yet.
Plot: The movie follows 12-year-old Zain who lives in a slum in Lebanon. He is suing his parents for giving him life when they knew they couldn’t cover his basic necessities such as food, safety, and even a state I.D. card.
Director: Nadine Labaki
Prestigious awards and nominations:
Nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
