West Beyrouth
In collaboration with Verre Binding, Sonsbeek 2026 and Focus present the Arabic classic West Beyrouth—a tragicomedy about the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1991), when the city was divided into Christian East Beirut and Muslim West Beirut.
Please note: this film is in Arabic with English subtitles.
The screening will be introduced by Shehadeh Saleh, who will reflect on the meaning of the film for new generations.
COA pass holders and people from Ukraine covered by the RTB scheme can reserve their ticket via this link.
About West Beyrouth
The film is based on the director’s own memories and paints an intimate portrait of three teenagers experiencing the first signs of the conflict. They stubbornly hold on to joy wherever they can find it, even as the reality of adulthood and war comes closer. As Lebanese film critic Chafic puts it: ‘The magic of West Beirut lies in its refusal to surrender to despair. The film is bursting with life, even as bombs are falling.’