DIRECTOR: Mira Shaib STARRING: Diamand Abou Abboud, Betty Taoutel, Bilal Al Hamwi RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 31 minutes LANGUAGE: Arabic
Arze, a single mother, takes her teenage son on a journey across sectarian Beirut in search of their stolen scooter, their only source of livelihood.
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This is director Mira Shaib's directorial feature film debut. Film production was delayed due to the mass protests in Beirut and later by the pandemic, but shooting eventually took place at the end of 2022. Arze had its world premiere at the Beijing International Film Festival, followed by a North American debut at the Tribeca Festival. It has since screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival, Asian World Film Festival, Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal, and the Lebanese Film Festivals in Paris and Australia. It was released across theatres in Lebanon on August 2024. Ambiant Light handles international sales on the film.
The Lebanon Film Commission announced that Arze would be their submission on October 25th. The selection of the picture as Lebanon’s Oscar candidate comes as the city and its population remain caught in the crosshairs of the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which has resulted in several Israeli airstrikes on the city. "Arze is deeply personal to me because it reflects the heart of Lebanon—its resilience and its beauty, even in the face of overwhelming hardship,” said Shaib. “It’s been our lifelong dream to have our film represent Lebanon, but this moment comes amid extreme sorrow and tragedy. We find ourselves in constant fear for the safety of our families and all Lebanese. We hope for a ceasefire soon.”
The film is produced by Spotless Minds Films and Ambient Light.
Arze is a comedic drama and it was filmed in Beirut, Lebanon.
To check out all previous submissions for Lebanon, click HERE.
“Things have always been taken away from me. But no more. I don’t have any other choice.”
Arzé is a refreshing, heartwarming tale that beautifully navigates the intersecting themes of family, resilience, and identity within the vibrant yet divided city of Beirut. Directed by Mira Shaib, this comedic drama follows Arzé, a determined single mother who embarks on a journey across the city's various neighborhoods to retrieve a stolen scooter that her family relies on for their pie-delivery business. From the start, Arzé draws audiences in with its warm humor and relatability, while also shedding light on Lebanon's complex sectarian landscape. Shaib’s lighthearted approach to serious topics results in a film that is both accessible and deeply meaningful.
Diamand Abou Abboud shines in the role of Arzé, imbuing the character with a blend of humor, grit, and vulnerability. Alongside her is Betty Taoutel as Layla, Arzé’s emotionally fragile sister, who adds depth and warmth to the family dynamic. Their sisterly bond is the film’s heart, seamlessly conveyed through subtle performances that avoid exposition, making their relationship feel lived-in and authentic. Young actor Bilal Al Hamwi, cast as Arzé’s teenage son, Kinan, delivers a compelling and grounded performance, adding an extra layer of realism to the story. The characters’ interactions are relatable and reflect the strength and sacrifices inherent in close-knit families.
The film's setting in Beirut is a character in itself, with each scene immersing viewers in the distinct atmospheres of the city’s various districts. Shaib uses Arzé's journey across sectarian divides to poke gentle fun at the stereotypes and cultural barriers within Lebanese society. The film’s humorous portrayal of Arzé adopting accents and clothing to fit into each neighborhood strikes a balance between comedy and social commentary, highlighting how people adapt and survive in a fragmented society. The comedic elements are effective yet sensitive, inviting laughter without detracting from the film's deeper message about unity and empathy.
Arzé offers an uplifting perspective on resilience and familial bonds that feels both specific to Beirut and universally understood. At its heart, the film is an exploration of family unity, centered around two sisters who, despite their differences, share an unbreakable connection. The warmth of their relationship brings depth to the story, and the natural chemistry between Diamand Abou Abboud and Betty Taoutel creates a sense of lived-in familiarity, highlighting the subtle ways family members offer support in times of struggle. This connection between the two sisters, alongside the bond they share with Kinan, emphasizes the value of shared history and mutual reliance within families.
Shaib’s direction is careful not to overwhelm the audience with heavy-handed social messages, allowing the story to unfold naturally. By blending laughter with moments of genuine emotion, she creates a balance that makes Arzé accessible and relatable to audiences beyond Lebanon. The film’s themes, family unity, resilience, and navigating social divides, transcend cultural barriers, inviting viewers from different backgrounds to connect with the story on their own terms. In this way, Arzé is a thoughtful portrait of modern Beirut, showing that while the city’s inhabitants may be divided by history and tradition, they are united in their shared humanity. The film is a story of perseverance and unity, celebrating the people who keep pushing forward, finding ways to laugh, love, and connect amid all of life’s challenges.