Netflix has just released the fourth season of its immensely popular original series La Casa De Papel (Money Heist). The show is thrilling, ecstatic, rebellious, suspenseful, romantic, and revolutionary; all the things the Lebanese people take pride in.
From having the Lebanese revolution featured in La Casa De Papel The Phenomenon to remaining at number one among the top 10 list of Netflix Lebanon’s chart, the crime drama series has hit a spot -or two- in Lebanese people’s heart, and here is why.
Also, if you have not watched the last season (or any of the seasons) of La Casa De Papel, you’re about to get the spoilers of your lifetime.
#1 Lebanese, too, have rebelled against the system to claim what’s theirs
The Lebanese Revolution has been so powerful that it gained international popularity and inspired other nations to revolt against corruption. Even the song Bella Ciao of the series was adopted by the Lebanese protesters as the characters adopted it from the Italian resistance where it originated.
#2 Lebanese, too, like to party at odd moments
These characters felt like dancing at really odd moments, during the heist and its series of struggles and tension! Sounds familiar, isn’t it? How many times, we Lebanese have done just that? Even when protesting. We do tend to dance our worries away
After all, no wonder that three of Beirut clubs have ranked among the 2020’s top 100 in the world.
#3 Lebanese, too, broke into banks
As the Lebanese Revolution was at its peak, a group of young protesters stormed into the Association of Banks building in Gemayzeh. They broke in as a way of civil disobedience against oppressive rules banks have enforced on people. The Lebanese, too, are rebelling against the banking system.
#4 Lebanese, too, endured abuse of power by law-enforcement
For months, Lebanese protesters were confronted by the authorities’ power on the ground and clashed with parliamentary police, the ISF, and the anti-riot cops.
#5 Lebanese, too, got illegally arrested and detained for days
Just like Lisbon and Rio who were detained illegally for days without a lawyer, many of the Lebanese protesters endured the same, and like in the Casa de Papel’s series, the people in the streets protested for them and interventions were needed to force their release.
#6 Some Lebanese who got arrested were, too, tortured
They might not have been kept in a Morrocan desert and they may not have been asked to bury themselves alive like Rio, but many protesters did get beaten after being arrested.
After all, none of the protesters broke in the Royal Mint or the Bank of Lebanon, they just protested against corruption.
#7 Lebanese women, too, have been fearless and determined in their civil disobedience
I realize that Nairobi is a very sensitive topic for all of us right now *wipes tear* but her leadership skills and strength are to be admired and honored in many of our Lebanese iconic women.
Lebanese women stood fearless at the frontlines during the Lebanese revolution, marched for peace and feminism, and acted strong-minded in uniting neighborhoods against sectarian conflicts.
#8 Loyalty, Unity, and Mutual Support
Loyalty, unity, and mutual support in the team of Casa de Papel have been remarkable. These are values that the Lebanese people of the Revolution relate to strongly; values that were strikingly observable during the revolution in the streets at every arrest, every hit, every suffering needing support, and every fallen martyr.
#9 Tear gases? We relate to that too!
The Spanish police used excess tear gas to distract the protesters from breaking into the Banco de España to support the Money Heist’s team.
# 10 Lebanese, too, endured authorities’ approval of illegal actions
The most satisfying moment in Money Heist’s season 4 was when the Spanish authorities got finally exposed in their abuse of power, their scheming of illegal actions against civilians and their human rights.
The Lebanese can relate to that too.
#11 Planning to topple the corrupt system? Lebanese can relate to that too!
This is more of a duh kind of item, but we had to mention it. How many of us wanted to put a hand on the Professor’s shoulder and whisper in his ear: “We’re all in this together”? And “How about visiting us in Lebanon?”
#12 “There is no going back”
That has been the stout statement and stand of the Lebanese people of the Revolution, and so it has been stated all through the series of La Casa de Papel.
#13 The awesome quotes
The characters may be reckless and irrational, but they have the best quotes. This is why every single Lebanese Instagram account now has a caption or two quoting La Casa De Papel.
My personal favorite is: “After all, what’s more human than the fight for survival?” – Tokyo.
It is not easy to differentiate between Robin Hood and theft, but we somehow understand it. Living in Lebanon where the ruling class only gets richer at the account of the people and the people only get poorer, we understand the motive behind the heist, but we do not necessarily accept it.
