Beirut: Eye of the Storm

On the 17th of October 2019 violent riots occurred in Lebanon. People took to the streets, initially to protest increased taxes, but the protests quickly escalated into being directed at the mismanagement of their country in general.

Director Mai Masri follow four young women reporting on the unrest: journalist Hanine, Iraqi camera woman Lujain, and sisters Noel and Michelle, who comments on the political situation through popular satirical music videos. As a result they become spokespersons for the young Lebanese generation.

The demonstrations leads to results. Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his government resigns, and a hope for change emerges – that is until the covid pandemic hits. Now the protesters have to organize from home instead of from the streets.

In addition to the political unrest and the consequences of the pandemic, Lebanon is going through a financial crisis and the aftermath of the 2020 explosion in Beirut. Beirut: Eye of the Storm paints a picture of a ravaged country, but is primarily a portrait of youthful activism and a hope for the future, represented by the four main characters.

Atli Bjarnason

Director

Mai Masri (b. 1959) is a Palestinian filmmaker and producer primarily based in Lebanon. She studied filmmaking at San Francisco State University at the start of the 1980s, and has since directed and produced several award winning documentaries.

This film is part of