The outpouring of global support has been a small silver lining in the aftermath of last week’s deadly blast in Beirut. Across the region people are looking for ways to show their support in any way they can, and for Cinema Akil that is by hosting a series of Beirut Disaster Relief screening on August 14 and 15.
The Dubai-based art-house cinema will be showing iconic Lebanese films including Ziad Doueiri’s West Beirut and Nadine Labaki’s Where Do We Go Now? with the proceeds for being donated to the Lebanese Red Cross relief efforts.
The move comes in solidarity with the people of Beirut after a catastrophic explosion on August 4 left more than 200 dead and thousands wounded. The damage leveled several acres of the capital city, leaving many of its inhabitants homeless and without access to basic needs and resources.
“Both West Beirut and Where Do We Go Now? are reflections of a Lebanese society that through unity, work to overcome the conditions of a volatile political geography” says Gianluca Chakra, the CEO of the films’ distributor Front Row. “These films also carry in them the scars felt by Lebanese that have lived and survived the war.”
Doueiri’s film is a drama following the life of a high schooler growing up in Beirut as the civil war breaks out in April 1975. As the young Tarek comes of age, the war moves emotionally from adventure to tragedy and the reality of political turmoil comes to the fore. As a winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s Prix François Chalais, this is not one to be missed.
Where Do We Go Now?, selected to represent Lebanon for the 84th Academy Awards, tells the story of an isolated unnamed village where both Christians and Muslims live together. As civil strife engulfs Lebanon, the women in the village attempt to keep their men in the dark, with varying success. A poignant commentary on both political unrest and gender relations in the Middle East, Labaki’s film will leave you educated, empowered and engaged for weeks to come.
“Seeing the damage from that explosion truly affected us all at Front Row and these screenings with our close partners Cinema Akil are a way for me to give back to my home country. I’m confident in Lebanon’s people and in their ability to always rise above tragedy and move forward.”
Seats are limited so book your seat at cinemaakil.com and don’t forget to bring a mask. Help those in need at this troubling time while simultaneously supporting the Arab creative community.
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