The Egyptian-Lebanese Film ‘Arzeh’ Competes at CIFF

The management of the Cairo International Film Festival, in its 45th edition, announced that the Egyptian-Lebanese film “Arzeh” will compete in the Horizons of Arab Cinema section at this year's festival. This announcement follows the film’s recent achievement, as it was chosen by a selection committee to represent Lebanon in the Oscars' Best International Feature Film category. The committee described the selection as a tribute to the resilience and spirit of the Lebanese people.

“Arzeh” is directed by Mira Shaib and written by Faisal Shaib and Louay Khreis. The soundtrack is composed by Hany Adel, and the film stars Diamond Abou Abboud, Betty Taoutel, and Bilal Hamwe, with guest appearances by Fadi Abi Samra, Junaid Zein El-Din, Fouad Yammine, Elie Mitri, Tarek Tamim, Hagop Derghougassian, Joyce Nasrallah, Shaden Fakih, and Mohamed Khansa. The storyline centers on Arzeh, a single mother living in Beirut who faces intense pressures and struggles to provide for her son Kinan and her sister Leila.

El Arabi expressed his happiness about the film’s selection to represent Lebanon, especially in light of the current challenges facing the country, which he holds dear to his heart. He said that the committee’s statement, describing the film as an expression of the spirit and resilience of the Lebanese people, truly touched him and validated the effort behind the film.

This is the second film produced by Ali El Arabi to be submitted in this category, following his film “Captains of Zaatari”, which also competed at the Oscars. Writers and producers Faisal Shaib and Louay Khreis praised the nomination of the film for the Oscars, especially in light of the devastating Israeli attacks on Beirut and Lebanon.

The director noted that “Arzeh” serves as a poem and love letter to Beirut, where it was filmed across more than twenty locations. She emphasized that Arzeh’s character embodies the heart of Lebanon, with its resilience and beauty even amidst immense hardship. The film also serves as a tribute to the strength and spirit of the Lebanese people, especially the women whose bravery and hope shine through during the darkest times.

The director and the writers-producers expressed that their lifelong dream was for the film to represent Lebanon. However, this moment comes amid profound sadness and tragedy, as they live in constant fear for the safety of their families and all Lebanese citizens, hoping for a ceasefire soon.

The film had its world premiere at the Beijing International Film Festival and its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. It has also been screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the World Asian Film Festival, the Arab World Festival in Montreal, and Lebanese film festivals in Paris and Australia.