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Simon El Habre – Director / Producer
It's a documentary on memory, how it affects the human beings' daily life, especially when memory is related to war and massacres. It's the story of a Christian village which has been completely destroyed during the war. The inhabitants of the region were displaced to Beirut. They were only able to return to their natal village about 10 to 11 years later, after the 'reconciliation.' Yet the people of this particular community refused to return, and the village is still completely destroyed. There is one man, my uncle Semaan, who has returned six years ago and has grown a farm of cows. He is living alone in the village.
I am interested in watching Semaan's daily life, and through him, perceive the daily life of the village and why it is still empty of life.
I know various persons who are still attached to this village. They return to their land, take care of it, spend the day next to their shattered houses, and in the evening they leave, as if no one came in the first place.
Through this documentary, I would like to know why they have not returned for good.
Melhem Ibrahim El Habre, from Ain Halazoun
Adla Elias El Habre, from Mansouriyet Bhamdoun and I got married to a man from Ain Halazoun
We are shooting during the four seasons, which is fun, in a way or another, and it keeps me able to film.
This film is not intended for a particular audience. The Lebanese might consider it a documentary dealing with memory while the Europeans, even if they do not know much about the subject, might view it as a meditation, yet enjoyable film. |
