5 Lebanese Film Directors You Should Watch

Since its early beginnings in the 1920s, Lebanese cinema has passed through many incarnations. Following independence from the French in 1943 up to the early 70s, national productions, including many musicals, vied with Egypt for dominance of the Arab market.
Paradoxically, it was during the civil war period that a new generation of Lebanese directors, unusually fostering near equal numbers of men and women, ushered in an era of modern film-making which hasn’t failed to make waves at the world’s leading festivals. Here’s a short list of the names whose legacy and contemporary works make Lebanese cinema the greatest national cinema of note in the Arab world.

Philippe Aractingi (1964- )
Aractingi is best known for three diverse films set in his home country, each of which employ different modes and techniques, testimony to the director’s constant efforts at pushing for new cinematic forms. His first feature length film Bosta (2005), a hugely entertaining musical road movie with a soaring soundtrack of electro-dabkeh, couldn’t have prepared audiences for the award winning Under the Bombs (2008). Somewhere between fiction and documentary, half scripted and half improvised, it was shot in the real life setting of Southern Lebanon during the 2006 bombings with a couple professional actors interacting among civilians, soldiers and rescue teams. Once more with a radical shift in tone, this time deeply personal and autobiographical, Heritages (2013) combines home-videos, reconstructions and archival footage to narrate the exile of Aractingi’s own family across four generations.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Maroun Bagdadi (1950-1993)
The best internationally known Lebanese director of his generation, Maroun Bagdadi worked on many productions with Francis Ford Coppola and, as a pioneer of new Lebanese cinema, is widely considered an auteur in his own right. His career spans almost 20 years, starting with his 1975 debut Beirut Oh Beirut, and ending abruptly with his untimely death at the age of 43 while preparing for a new film. His greatest international successes were films which vividly portrayed Lebanon’s civil conflict, including Little Wars (1982) and the Lebanon hostage crisis drama Out of Life (1991) which took home the Jury Prize at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Randa Chahal Sabag (1953-2008)
Much of Randa Chahal Sabag’s early work is in documentary form. After studying film-making at the Louis Lumière School in Paris, she returned to Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war and gained access to her subjects through connections with the Organisation for Communist Action in Lebanon (OACL). She never abandoned documentaries altogether, receiving acclaim for Our Heedless Wars (1995) and Souha (2000); but by the early nineties there was distinct a shift towards fiction film and the start of bumpy ride with state censors. The Kite (2003), a tragicomic love story set in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights, was awarded the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival and went on to become Sabag’s greatest critical and commercial success, finally legitimizing her work at home.
Nadine Labaki (1974- )
Nadine Labaki was already enjoying a reputation as an actress before moving behind the camera, and with only two films, quickly becoming the Arab world’s most celebrated female director. Her directorial debut Caramel (2007), a comedy about five women gathering at a beauty salon to talk love, sexuality and everyday disappointments gained a place at that same year’s Director’s Fortnight sidebar in Cannes, collected numerous awards, and became a commercial success. Her 2011 follow up Where Do We Go Now?, was no less lauded, winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and setting box-office records in Lebanon, cementing her reputation as a masterful storyteller, capable of transcending carefully reproduced local settings and subjects.
Ziad Doueiri (1963- )
Long-time camera assistant for Quentin Tarantino, Ziad Doueiri left his mark on Lebanese film history with West Beirut, a largely autobiographical, unexpectedly funny coming of age account set around the first years of the civil war, and winner, among many other awards, of the Prix François Chalais at the Directors’ Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival in 1998. Since then, his controversial The Attack (2013), loosely adapted from Yasmina Khadra’s novel of the same name with a plot that revolves around a suicide bombing and a secular Tel Aviv-based Palestinian surgeon, has been the object of controversy throughout the Arab world and banned in most of the Arab League’s 22 countries for its impartiality and allegedly whitewashing the enemy.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.