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The short documentary Beirut in two words aims to give one of the most diverse cities of the Middle East a voice of its own.Nine members of Beirut‘s music and art scene share their thoughts on living and working in a city where at times beauty and suspense go hand in hand.

 

Jean Madani, base player and producer, defines this contrast as follows: “You have to live here for a while to understand this attachment to the city. It’s very strange. It’s a love and hate relationship.”

 

What brings all the protagonist together is their passionate dispute with Beirut and their love for its people. Even though they differ in age, gender, religion and personal background, the statement of Madani can be adapted to every single one of them.

 

When developing Beirut in two words, German film maker Anne Chahine had two main motivations in mind. Since being married to a man with Lebanese origin she wanted first and before all like to know more about his country and the home city of her husband. Furthermore, tired of western prejudice and ignorance towards the Arab culture, Chahine intends to offer the audience a different point of view on what it actually means to live in this society.

 

The film openly breaks with the conclusion that its title provides. A city as divers as Beirut can not be broken down into two simple words. But the approach of the question behind it leads the protagonists to an intense dialog with the city that each one lovingly calls home.

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