“Tanaash” What if the Lebanese talked to each other without foreign interference?
The Lebanese film “Tanaash” is included in the list of Arabic versions of foreign films. It joins its predecessor, “My Friends and No Dearest,” which achieved remarkable success in its Arabic version.
The film presents an imaginary judicial reform that will be achieved after the August 4 bombing. Accordingly, a jury of 12 members, from different Lebanese backgrounds, is formed to decide the fate of a refugee accused of killing a social activist. Concluding an impartial ruling against him would either lead him to death or prove his innocence.
Tariq Yaqoub with his colleagues Ali Al-Najjar and Ali Shuqair (film director)
From the first moments of the film, it is evident how closely its events are intertwined with Lebanese reality. It is true that there is no jury in Lebanese trials; But it presents a clear hypothesis of the result that could be generated if the Lebanese were left free to dialogue with each other without any external interference.
The film lasts about 90 minutes, and its events take place in a fairly dark hall. 12 jury members meet and discuss around a rectangular wooden table all the time, trying to reach the appropriate verdict for a murder accused, so they begin by voting for the verdict. In a first round, 11 members out of 12 chose to issue a ruling convicting the accused of murder. The rounds are repeated and the scales of the voting process are reversed more than once. In the end, they reach a unified ruling that ends the debate on the issue.
The text of the film (Lebanese) carries social and political dimensions that are rarely present in local industries. It prompts his viewers to analyze and delve deeply into each of his scenes. The actors subconsciously share their opinions so that the 90 minutes fly by.
“Tanaash” begins showing in Lebanese theaters on the 16th of this month (film director)
Director Buddy Sfeir worked on presenting his product so that boredom would not creep into his scenes. He fills it with sarcastic and funny jokes that break the atmosphere of intense discussions that prevail. Through interesting conversations that take place between the 12 jurors, the viewer receives many answers to questions that have always haunted him. It overlooks cases of fanaticism resulting from the Lebanese war, and presents examples of Lebanese society that is still mired in the consequences of a war that has perpetuated it. From the names of the jury members and the way they approach the dialogue, the viewer quickly deduces which party or region they belong to.
Buddy Sfeir carefully chose the filming location to carry the symbolism he desired. He filmed his film in a room located in the Electricité du Liban. Interior design played a prominent role in creating an atmosphere that reflects the deteriorating conditions that Lebanon has experienced in recent years.
Sfeir’s camera was able to create a feeling in the viewer that led to suspicion, as if someone was peeking in and spying on the session. Music and sound effects play a role in adding realism to the film, making it noticeable the sounds of the street and military aircraft.
All the film’s scenes take place in a wide, pale hall. It resembles a Lebanon empty of young minds. The antique decorations in the hall, as well as the dim lights that prevail, remind you of Lebanon, which is dark and abandoned even by its people.
The body camera whistles, and with each turn it turns, it highlights a specific message. Perhaps the most prominent of them is the one that the viewer discovers at the end of the film. It tells of the Beirut explosion and the clearly demolished wheat waste. A paper rocket flies into the space of the hall that contains the gatherings, and continues on its way towards the rubble of Beirut, leaving the viewer free to analyze.
The female element is noticeably present in the so-called jury. We see some of them being rebellious and sometimes resolute without lacking the femininity in their personalities.
“Tanaash” exudes realism and dissects Lebanese society, exposes it and exposes states of its collective unconsciousness, refuting its complexes that have formed over the years as a result of tragedies, ongoing divisions, and stereotypical rejection of the other. It also presents absurd ideas blindly passed down from one generation to another. The film will start showing in Lebanese theaters from November 16th.
The film was co-written by director Buddy Sfeir and Patrick Al-Shamali, playing the role of one of the jurors. It stars Tariq Yacoub, Yara Zakhour, Shadi Ardati, Sarah Abdo and others, in addition to new faces appearing for the first time in front of the camera.
The female element is present in the movie “Tanaash” (film director)
Actress Yara Zakhour won the Best Actress award for the film at the SRfilmfestnyc International Festival in New York.
Tariq Yaqoub plays the role of the Lebanese engineer, who from the first moment of the voting process goes the opposite way. He attracts the viewer with his professional presence and performance, and prominent facial features and body language.
As for Ali Al-Najjar, he embodies his role with remarkable care and wit without exaggeration, drawing spontaneous smiles on the mouths of those watching the film. With Sarah Abdo and Christina Farah, we get to know successful Lebanese female models. It does not go unnoticed in a patriarchal society par excellence.
As for Patrick Al-Shamali, he returns the Lebanese to the stage of civil and regional war. Through his realistic representation, he is keen to convey a thorny situation that some Lebanese are experiencing to this day.
