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West Beirut (film)

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Wikipedia article




'West Beirut' (; ) is a 1998 Lebanese drama film, written and directed by Ziad Doueiri. The film was selected as the Lebanese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 71st Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Plot



In April 1975, civil war breaks out; Beirut is partitioned along a line separating the Muslim-Christian mixed West Beirut from the quasi-Christian East Beirut. After the line was created, Tarek is now considered to live in West Beirut (the mixed part and Tarek is Muslim himself) and is in high school, making Super 8 movies with his friend, Omar. At first the war is a lark: school has closed (and is situated in East Beirut no longer accessible to West Beirut residents), the violence is fascinating, getting from West to East is a game. His mother wants to leave the country; but his father refuses. Tarek spends time with May, an orphaned Christian girl living in his building. By accident, Tarek goes to an infamous brothel in the war-torn Zeytouni Quarter, meeting its legendary madam, Oum Walid. He then takes Omar and May there. Family tensions rise. Later on and as he comes of age, the war moves inexorably from adventure to a nationwide tragedy.

Cast



* Rami Doueiri as Tarek

* Mohamad Chamas as Omar

* Rola Al-Amin as May

* Carmen Lebbos as Hala, Tarek's mother

* Joseph Bou Nassar as Riad, Tarek's father

* Liliane Nemri as Nahida (a neighbor)

* Lela Karam as Brothel Madam (Oum Walid)

* Hassan Farhat as Roadblock Militiaman

* Mahmoud Mabsout as Baker

* Fadi Abou Khalil as Bakery Militiaman

Awards



* 'Prix Franois Chalais' at the Directors' fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival (1998)

* 'FIPRESCI International Critics' Award' at the Toronto International Film Festival (1998)

* 'Best First Film' at the Carthage Film Festival (1998)

* 'Youth Jury Award' at the Valladolid International Film Festival (1998)

* 'SAA Script Award' at the Fribourg International Film Festival (1999)

See also



* List of submissions to the 71st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film

* List of Lebanese submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

References




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