West Beirut
Released: 1998
Romance, Drama, Comedy
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.
Starring: Rami Doueiri, Naamar Sahli, Mohamad Chamas, Rola Al Amin, Carmen Lebbos, Carmen Lebbos, Liliane Nemri, Leïla Karam
Directed by: Ziad Doueiri
Written by: Ziad Doueiri
Language: Arabic, French
Scenes
Tarek (Rami Doueiri) rushes outside to piss on a wall, as his friend Omar (Mouhidine Guerra a/k/a Mohamad Chamas) yells at him for having disappeared (to a brothel) without telling anyone where he was. The peeing is faintly heard for about 20 seconds, but the camera stays at chest height.
Screen Captures
Alternate Titles
À l'abri les enfants
West Beyrouth (À l'abri les enfants)
West Beyrouth