Amid the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, Lebanese filmmakers are grappling with a tumultuous environment that is impacting their lives and careers. Christelle Younes, a Lebanese producer, was scheduled to participate in Italy’s MIA Market to pitch her upcoming feature film, So The Lovers Could Come Out Again. However, rising tensions and the danger posed by the conflict forced her to cancel her plans. Instead, she is now residing in northern Lebanon, far from the destruction that has plagued areas like Achrafieh in Beirut and southern Lebanon since late September. Tragically, airstrikes continue to claim civilian lives, with recent attacks in Basta killing 22 and wounding many more.
Younes explained her decision to avoid travel, emphasizing that safety is paramount: airports remain operational, but surrounding violence renders travel perilous. With over one million Lebanese displaced in recent weeks due to safety concerns, the situation is dire. The conflict flared up significantly following the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, leading to heightened military actions from both sides.
Many citizens in Lebanon find themselves at odds with Hezbollah, with a growing consensus against the violence. The health crisis in Gaza fuels anger among all demographics in Lebanon, especially with reports of over 42,000 casualties in Gaza amid escalating military responses.
Another filmmaker, Myriam Sassine, currently finds herself stranded in Cairo after a canceled flight back to Beirut. Unable to travel back home easily, she has established a temporary base in Cairo to manage ongoing projects and weigh her options amid the chaotic situation at home.
Sassine recounted her history within the filmmaking industry, reflecting on her ten years with Abbout Productions and the considerable challenges faced, including navigating the financial crisis and the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion in 2020. Now, as she contemplates launching her own production company, she faces uncertainty regarding Lebanon’s viability as a filmmaking hub.
At the same time, the Lebanese film industry is struggling under financial constraints that have compounded since 2019. Gianluca Chakra, a veteran of MENA production and distribution, lamented the decline of Lebanon as a cinematic marketplace, tracing its deterioration back to the economic collapse and devaluation of the Lebanese pound, leading to an oppressive cost-of-living crisis.
With ticket prices rising unsustainably, many Lebanese people find themselves unable to afford the luxury of a cinema outing. This situation, combined with shrinking interest from streaming services, threatens the creative landscape that once flourished in Lebanon.
Despite these bleak circumstances, some filmmakers are determined to push forward with their projects. Documentarian Zeina Daccache is one such individual, using her experiences with theater and film within Lebanese prisons to inform her new creative endeavors, though the ongoing conflict casts doubt on her plans for a forthcoming play.
Daccache stated that after enduring years of socioeconomic struggles, she refuses to succumb to paralysis and aims to cultivate art and expression in these unyielding times.
Looking toward the future, Younes remains optimistic about bringing her film project to fruition and is anticipating a production start in the UK. Sassine echoes this resilience, suggesting that creating films has evolved into a form of protest against rising oppression and misinformation, with filmmakers weaving powerful narratives that reflect their countries’ realities.
As the conflict rages on, the hope remains that the artistic spirit in Lebanon will endure, though it faces challenges unlike any seen before. Filmmakers continue to advocate for the authenticity and vibrancy of their culture while navigating a complex landscape that threatens to silence their voices.