Manara (film)

Manara (Arabic: منارة) is the second short film directed by Lebanese filmmaker Zayn Alexander. It premiered in 2019 during the 76th Venice International Film Festival in the Giornate degli Autori section.[1] The film was awarded the top prize at the 5th annual Laguna Sud - Il Cinema fuori dal Palazzo by a jury that included director Paola Randi, director of photography Valerio Azzali, and writer Franceso Targhetta.[1][2][3][4] It went on to win the "Ahmed Khedr Award for Excellence in Arab Filmmaking" at the 2020 ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival and "Best Narrative Short Film" at the 2020 Alexandria Short Film Festival in Egypt.[5][6][7][8]

Manara
Film poster
Directed byZayn Alexander
Written byPascale Seigneurie
Produced byZMA Entertainment
StarringZayn Alexander
Pascale Seigneurie
Hala Basma Safieddine
CinematographyAron Meinhardt
Edited byStephanie Nassar
Distributed byPremiere Film (International)
MAD Solutions (Arab world)
Release date
  • 4 September 2019 (2019-09-04) (Venice)
Running time
15 minutes
CountryLebanon

Plot

In a coastal town in Southern Lebanon, the Zayyad family seemed to have it all: A hotel by the sea, a lasting marriage, and strong family ties. But this seemingly perfect portrait takes a hit when the father dies under mysterious circumstances. Alia, the bereaved wife, is intent on lying about her husband’s cause of death in order to maintain appearances, despite the vehement objections of her adult children, Rami and Noura. One hour before the mourners’ arrival, and still struggling to agree on a course of action, Alia, Noura and Rami are forced to reevaluate the long dysfunctional family dynamic that brought them here in the first place.

Cast
  • Zayn Alexander as Rami
  • Pascale Seigneurie as Noura
  • Hala Basma Safieddine as Alia

Themes

Alexander said he made the film to explore "the obsession with appearances in Lebanon" and "the lengths Lebanese families are willing to go to avoid embarrassment."[1] Alexander and the film's writer, Seigneurie, who also co-stars, said the film's development was guided by their deep-rooted frustration with the psychological attitudes of the culture they grew up in.[9] The film explores the stigma of mental health issues in Lebanon and the generational divide when it comes to mental health, grief, and family.[8] Alexander, who has a master's degree in psychology from Columbia University, wanted to explore the tensions families go through as they struggle with secrecy and shame.[1][9]

Production

The bulk of the film was shot in two days in Tyre, Lebanon at the resort of Al Fanar.[1][8] It is Alexander's second short film working with writer and actor Pascale Seigneurie, following their collaboration on Alexander's directorial debut Abroad (2018).[10][9]

Reception

Critical reception

The film debuted in Venice, Italy before appearing at festivals in Tunisia, France, and Egypt, winning several jury awards. The film received mostly positive reviews by critics at each stop along its festival tour. Lorna Codrai of Film Inquiry wrote that the film "does a wonderful job of examining a culture struggling with an increasing mental health crisis."[8] Bianca Garner of In Their Own League wrote Manara is "a perfect example of how to carefully construct a short film narrative."[11] Film critic Mazen Fawzy wrote that Manara is "a powerful film that successfully implicates the viewer and leaves room for varying interpretations."[12] Adam Symchuk of Asian Movie Pulse gave the film a mixed review, but wrote "its strengths are still enough to put the short in high regard, and establishes director Zayn Alexander as a strong narrative storyteller."[13]

Accolades
Award/Festival Category Winner/Nominee Won
BCT - Festival Nazionale del Cinema e della Televisione - Città di Benevento (2020) Best Short Film Zayn Alexander Nominated
Alexandria Short Film Festival (2020) Best Narrative Short Film Zayn Alexander Won
ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival (2020) Ahmed Khedr Award for Excellence in Arab Filmmaking Zayn Alexander Won
Carthage Film Festival (2019) Golden Tanit (Tanit d'Or) for Best Short Film Zayn Alexander Nominated
Laguna Sud - Il Cinema fuori dal Palazzo (2019) Best Short Film Zayn Alexander Won
River Film Festival, Italy (2020) PREMIO SPECIALE DEL PUBBLICO Zayn Alexander Nominated
Elba Film Festival (2020) Best Actor Zayn Alexander Won
Lonely Wolf: London International Film Festival (2020)[14] Best Foreign Film Zayn Alexander Won
Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival (2021)[15] Best Short Film Zayn Alexander Won

References
  1. Mottram, James (24 October 2019). "'Manara' sheds light on problems in Lebanese culture". The National. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  2. "Venice 76: Golshifteh Farahani at the Venice Days". Zerkalo Spettacolo. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. "LAGUNE – Vite sull'acqua 1.edizione: I VINCITORI". Zalab. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  4. "Lagune – Vite sull'acqua, ecco i vincitori del concorso". ChioggiaTV. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  5. "فيلم منارة اللبناني يحصد الجائزة الفضية في مهرجان الإسكندرية للفيلم القصير وهذا ما حصده باقي الأفلام". Elfann News (in Arabic). Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  6. "ECU 2020 Winners". Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  7. "Manara - European Independent Film Festival 2020 - Film Review". Franglais27 Tales. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  8. Codrai, Lorna (26 February 2020). "Manara: Highlights Lebanon's Increasing Mental Health Crisis". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  9. "Zayn Alexander interview". The New Current UK. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  10. Hixon, Michael (9 February 2018). "Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates stars and independent filmmakers". The Beach Reporter. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  11. Bianca Garner (1 April 2020). "Short Film Review: Manara". In Their Own League. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  12. Mazen Fawzy (January 24, 2020). "10 من أفضل الأفلام العربية القصيرة في 2019". Raseef22. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  13. Adam Symchuk (March 21, 2020). "Short Film Review: Manara (2019) by Zayn Alexander". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  14. "WINTER 2020". LONELY WOLF: LONDON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  15. "HRIFF 2021 Short Film Awards". hollywoodreelindependentfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
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