Unraveling, “West Beirut” a journey of conflict and humanity

By Isabella Yepez

The film West Beirut provides an emotional journey delving into the historical relevance and societal issues of the Lebanese Civil War while illustrating a story that underscores humanity in times of conflict. Director Ziad Doueriri transports the audience into the streets of a city ripped apart by violence on an emotional level. Themes of chaos and fear are painted within elements in the opening scene, showing the aftermath of a horrific bus assault. Soldiers and snipers surround the streets, standing guard against the perpetual fear and tension that pervade daily life.

“West Beirut” primarily addresses the several effects of the Lebanese Civil War on people and communities. Specifically, in the characters Tark, Omar, and May, their identities have to revolve around the constant reminder of the city’s hardship, yet despite the constant challenge, they search for happiness. Themes of love, resiliency, and human connection are at the core of the film, primarily in Tarek and May’s blossoming romance, transcending sectarian barriers and providing a glimpse of a hopeful future for peace. The power of love is a notable theme in the film as Tarek overcomes the established societal divisions and the biases of his friend Omar as he pursues May despite her Christian beliefs. The film’s intricate features are visually appealing, with symbolism that strengthens the narrative. In Tarek and May’s secret encounters, the film’s imagery encourages the audience to fully immerse themselves in their world.

            Moments like Omar consoling Tarek and assuring him that safety is universal, despite religion, highlight the film’s powerful theme of unity amidst division.

The scene where Tarek, Omar, and May are walking around their war-torn city, searching for moments of normalcy, is an exemplary moment of their daily environment. The sounds of gunfire and explosions in the distance as they wander through the streets littered with debris fill the streets at every turn. The trio finds comfort in each other’s presence despite the destruction, and their moments of laughter together contrast the devastating reality of destruction that surrounds them.

The complex relationship between characters who are each in search of their own identity and personal challenges. This is prominent within Tarek’s friendship, and his constant optimism gives hope, and his interactions with Omar bring to light the underlying tension that boils underneath sectarian boundaries. The divide of Beirut into East and West signifies the intricacies of identification and mining relationships, while conflict is prevalent, reflecting a metaphor for a divided society. 

The lasting impression the film West Beirut induces in the viewer is an inspiring contemplation on the spirit of humanity’s resiliency and brings awareness to conflict. The timeless message of optimism and unity in the face of war is reinstated with a fresh perspective from the director through the depiction of universal themes of love and friendship.

“West Beirut” pushes past the boundaries of ideology, race, and religion, serving as a reminder that, in the end, what ties society together is common humanity. Using empathy, comprehension, and group efforts, viewers are left with a reflection of how conflict can pave the way for peace and reconciliation.

Ali Zaoua: Considering the Effects of Poverty

By Tiffany Zalweski

Despite Morocco’s efforts, poverty is still a prevalent issue, although declining. One film that captures this is Ali Zaoua. The film Ali Zaoua displays the streets of Morocco through the eyes of three young boys: Kwita, Omar, and Boubker. The boys recently defected from their gang full of other young boys, with their friend Ali Zaoua joining them. However, tragically, members of the gang accidentally kill Ali after throwing a rock at his head. Thus begins the three boys’ journey to give their friend a proper burial.

Throughout the film, there are many details of life in Morocco for many children. The boys do not attend school and are homeless, but they are also too young to gain formal, steady employment. The boys take on odd jobs, such as selling cigarettes and small trinkets and crafts on the streets to passing cars. Kwita also steals a wallet from a girl in one scene. Without an apprenticeship to learn a trade or a formal education, it will become increasingly difficult for the boys to get off the streets one day. It is unknown if the boys ever went to school at all, meaning that it is possible that they are entirely illiterate, further decreasing their chances. These factors are what maintain criminal activity on the streets, as legal pay is not as attainable for those impoverished.

At one point, the boys go to visit Ali’s mom to tell her he is dead. Only Omar makes it inside her home and speaks to her. In this scene, the boys’ condition becomes more apparent, as the mother begins to comment on Omar’s appearance and poor hygiene. As the boys would not have access to proper hygiene products, it is likely that they suffer the effects of this beyond smell. Poor hygiene can also lead to sickness, dental issues, and infection. Not only can this be painful and debilitating, but infections can be lethal or lead to amputations if left untreated. As the boys do not have any means of making or keeping money, they have no access to healthcare, possibly reducing their lifespan. They also do not have access to food that is entirely safe to eat or free from any harmful bacteria, and in one scene the boys even eat sardines from a box on the floor. This could also lead to severe illness, as it is not clear whether the fish were raw or cooked or where exactly they came from.

Kwita and Omar get into an argument after an encounter with Dib, the leader of the gang, and this argument quickly turns physical. In this interaction, the boys demonstrate how violent the children become when exposed to crime and lacking a nurturing environment. Omar holds a broken glass to Kwita’s neck while Boubker pleads for them to stop fighting. The audience often sees the innocence of the boys through Boubker and his displays of childish humor, but in this scene, it is viewed through Boubker’s fear. Omar describes Kwita as a coward and graphically describes the rape and assault he endured because of it. In this, the film reveals that no crime is unknown to the streets, even when they are filled with children. It is a stark reality that mostly goes unaddressed due to the topic being considered taboo.

Ali Zaoua shares a story that is insightful and critical to the understanding of poverty in Morocco. The director identifies several social issues within Moroccan society, such as prostitution, rape, and the poverty crisis. All of these issues are interconnected, as crime rate typically rises with the poverty percentage. Ali Zaoua is a call to action that raises awareness and begs for change for the betterment of Morroco.

On Hiya Fawda

By Kole Redwood

The film Hiya Fawda, a title that is translated to “Chaos” from Arabic, is a film that was directed by Egyptian directors Youssef Chahine and Khaled Youssef, and is an Egyptian melodramatic film commentating on the political state of Egypt. It specifically takes its time to commentate on the political corruption that is often seen in the country. The film takes a long and detailed look into the political corruption that is common throughout the country. Especially since the film makes a bold choice by deciding to have a major focus person with the power, who the audience watches slowly become more and more corrupted and in turn, power hungry and watch the character slowly delve into madness because of the effect of so much power has done on his mindset.

The film takes a detailed look into the mindset of the character Hatem, who starts out as an already corrupt political leader. The audience watches as Hatem takes bribes, jail innocents and overall commit large amounts of illegal activity because of his corruption. The audience watches as Hatem’s hunger for power further corrupts him, committing more and more egregious acts as the film progresses. Such as when the film shows him start to punish and torture prisoners for his own amusement. The film uses this character as not only a way to shed light on the political corruption in Egypt, but at the same time also critiques it. It reveals to the audience how someone in power could have this mindset, and how that mindset can further corrupt someone until they eventually descend into complete madness.

The film also takes a stance to depict not only political leaders’ corruption, but the corruption of the legal system as a whole. It depicts situations such as police brutality, and the false imprisonment of innocents in order to shed light on how deep political and legal corruption runs in the country. The film takes a large stance against this corruption, critiquing it as a whole since it depicts the actions as an inherently bad thing, showing these actions as actions committed by evil, power hungry people who corrupt their systems from the inside. It also critiques several stereotypes that are prevalent. Such as the main character being a woman, Naur, who Hatem has developed a love based obsession for. The film, depicts Hatem brutally assaulting, kidnapping and raping the main character. However, the film does its best not to bring Naur down because of it, instead it is a sense of community and strength for her. Since the film shows that a riot is created in order to hold her rapist accountable. Showing that Hatem’s hunger for power was what had ultimately led to his downfall.

In general, Hiya Fawda is a film that critiques and commentates on the state of corruption that is prevalent in Egypt. It takes a strong stance against this corruption, while at the same time counteracting many Egyptian stereotypes with its characterization of its characters. Overall being a very substantial film filled with combat of both political corruption and the stereotypes of Egyptians.