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Two from Lebanon September 6 & 7 With Lebanon, tragically, so much in the news in recent weeks, we offer these two impressive cinematic reflections of the civil war that tore that nation apart in the 80s and 90s. The Tornado / El Aasar Samir Habchi, Lebanon, 1992; 90m Considered by many Lebanese who actually lived through the years of violence as the most accurate description of the times, The Tornado begins with the return to Lebanon of Akram from studying abroad. While away he had of course kept informed about what was going on back home, yet he soon discovers that he had no idea of the depth of destruction — physical, but especially moral and spiritual — that the nonstop strife has sown. Moreover, as he soon learns, the situation doesn’t tolerate mere observers, and soon Akram finds himself drawn into the fighting. Visually stunning, with an astounding use of the actual locations where the war was being fought, The Tornado was initially banned by the Lebanese government, and was released only upon its subsequent success internationally. West Beirut / Beirut Al-Charbieh Zaid Doueri, France/Lebanon, 1998; 105m A former assistant to Quentin Tarantino, Zaid Doueiri here creates an unforgettable and deeply moving look at growing up in the shadow of combat. Tarek and Omar are two Muslim teenagers who spend their days thinking about only two things: meeting girls and making movies. The answer to their first concern comes in the form of May, a pretty young Christian from the neighborhood; for the second, they have to figure out a way to get past the various militias and checkpoints across the city to get to the only shop that will process their Super-8 cartridges. At first it seems like a massive game for the three teens, finding new ways and schemes that allow them to cross the city, but as the violence escalates the grim reality of what’s happening to their country becomes all too clear. Doueiri re-imagines the traditional “coming of age” story; these young people are doing all they can to simply live like typical urban teenagers, and the distance between their expectations and their realities is what gives West Beirut its tragic feeling.

Buy Tickets Wed Sept 7: 6* *The Tornado **West Beirut