West Beirut

A good friend of mine here in Berlin comes from Beirut, Libanon. He asked me to watch this movie the other day and I was not too convinced about it. But he made a good point saying that it was a bit of his childhood in his country and more of it his history because he lived those events. Then I was curious because it is true it's a part of his life I will never know and because we did not grow up together. For me Libanon and war are related to news on TV and I can't even imagine being able to live those things one day (I wish I won't). So I started comfy in my chair to watch what life really was at this time West Beirut . This is the plot : "In April, 1975, civil war breaks out; Beirut is partitioned along a Muslim-Christian line and is divided into East and West Beirut. 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 bra as a white flag for safe passage. Family tensions rise. As he comes of age, the war moves inexorably from adventure to tragedy". I must say I couldn't stop watching it because it's so simply made with such a heart that I was moved. The life of this family happy on every point not understanding what's really happening and nevertheless being in the middle of this part of history is tragic. First I never imagined the presence of France in this country was so strong with education. But they are no french and they start to realize that they also have their own culture and history even if it's down to earth. But the film shows it very well and you understand the evolution of the actions made. Everyone tries to live happily together making concessions but it soon starts to be a problem to show off the religion they belong to. The school is the first to close and there is no access to it anymore because it is placed opposite where they live and they can't cross the "border". Of course the children are happy but then realize that without culture and information we are nothing and they soon start to miss past. Then the parents have no job because the administration closes. How do they get the money to buy what they need, it is not said but in the time of war you give solidarity to your own people. But money becomes as well a problem and the child is humiliated not being able to carry on with his dreams. War is first a game and demonstrating is a way of being outside with new people until the day they are under fire and suddenly it's not funny anymore. The children are too soon pushed in the war and they become adults too soon. They did not have the time to live their teenage time because of the events. The parents in this story seem lost and hang on to the past just to get the feeling to have a life. The characters are all amazing and strong. It is not a sad movie because the view comes from the children. The movie describes as well the differences of religion and sometimes fighting for it is useless because in the end you put yourself on the strongest side especially if you're a coward or if you choose to protect the rest you still own. So in the end it's a good presentation of history and you understand that this people is resigned because they already lived too much that anyone can stand. They don't resist, they adapt themselves and wait those strangers to go away from their country. I am thankful to my friend. In a way he opened my eyes and now I understand why he is so attached to his country but feels difficult to be happy there. To conclude I would say the movie shows that we need strong and pure feelings to show to the ones we love just to be able to find our place in the world.