When art bears witness to a time of crisis

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In Lebanon, literature and cinema are not simple entertainment. They embody powerful voices, witnesses of a country in constant struggle against multiple crises. From intimate stories to social frescoes, these two art forms capture the soul of a divided but resilient nation. In a context marked by economic and political instability, they become the mirror of the struggles, hopes and disillusions of a society that refuses to sink.

Lebanese writers: a pen to tell the story of exile and memory

Lebanese literature shines with its diversity and audacity. Authors like Hoda Barakat, winner of the International Prize for Arab Fiction, or Charif Majdalani, known for his stories imbued with poetry and melancholy, have been able to explore universal themes anchored in Lebanese reality.
Notable themes:

1. The civil war and its scars: Many novels revisit the horrors of this bloody period, not to relive the past, but to understand it better.
   • In The Kingdom of this earthHoda Barakat depicts lives shattered by conflict, oscillating between rage and hope.
   • Charif Majdalani, in The Emperor on footsubtly recounts the inner struggles of an exiled Lebanese, lost in the twists and turns of his identity.
2. Exile and the quest for meaning: The stories of writers like Rawi Hage capture the experience of Lebanese expatriates, faced with a sense of loss and alienation.
   • In De Niro’s GameHage paints a portrait of Beirut through the eyes of a young man torn between staying or fleeing.
3. Survival in adversity: Despite the trials, Lebanese literature celebrates an unwavering strength. These stories remind us that, even in chaos, there are bursts of light.

Lebanese cinema: a screen for social struggles

Despite limited resources, Lebanese cinema has captured international attention thanks to its authenticity. Directors like Nadine Labaki, Ziad Doueiri and Oualid Mouaness have propelled the social realities of Lebanon onto screens around the world.
An exploration of the flaws in society:

• Poverty and inequality: In CapernaumNadine Labaki delivers a poignant cry from the heart about street children, victims of a failing system.
• The memory of the war: The movie West Beirut by Ziad Doueiri, with his tone both light and serious, revisits the beginnings of the civil war through the eyes of two adolescents.
• Education and hope: With 1982Oualid Mouaness captures a moment of political tension seen from a classroom, where the innocence of the children contrasts with the surrounding tumult.
  A bold aesthetic:
  Lebanese cinema also shines with its mix of styles, combining raw realism with visual poetry that magnifies the banality of everyday life. Despite often restricted budgets, filmmakers manage to create works that resonate beyond borders.

The economic crisis: a challenge for the arts

Today, Lebanese literature and cinema are suffering from the economic crisis. Publishers are struggling to publish, production houses are seeing their budgets collapse, and talent is fleeing abroad.
Dramatic consequences:

• Edition: Many writers self-publish their works or export them, due to lack of local resources.
• Film production: Directors are turning to foreign funding to bring their projects to fruition.
• Loss of talent: The exodus of writers, screenwriters and technicians limits Lebanon’s capacity to renew its cultural scene.

Lebanese literature and cinema bear witness to a society in search of identity and justice. They are much more than artistic expressions: they are living reflections of the resilience of a people. In a time of crisis, preserving this culture means preserving the very soul of Lebanon.

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