International Diaspora Film Festival

Thursday 5 November, 9:00 PM

Venue

Under the Bombs

Philippe Aractingi

France/Lebanon/UK, 2007, 98 min.

In Arabic, French, and English, with English subtitles

Winner, EIUC Award, Venice Film Festival 2007

Winner, Alternative Vision Award, Venice Film Festival 2007

Winner, Human Rights Film Award, Venice Film Festival 2007

Winner, Muhr Award for Best Actress: Nada Abou Farhat, Dubai International Film Festival 2007

Winner, Muhr Award for Best Film: Philippe Aractingi, Dubai International Film Festival 2007

Winner, Golden Pony Award, Dubai International Film Festival 2007

Winner, Netpac Award, Eurasia Film Festival 2007

Winner, Critic’s Award, Eurasia Film Festival 2007

Winner, Prix Jury Jeune, Festival International du Film Francophone 2007

Winner, Best Actress: Nada Abou Farhat, Bratislava International Film Festival 2008

Winner, FIPRESCI Prize: Philippe Aractingi, Bratislava International Film Festival 2008

Special Mention, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury: Philippe Aractingi, Bratislava International Film Festival 2008

Toronto Premiere

Co-presented with Human Rights Watch Film Festival

During a cease-fire in the Lebanon-Israel conflict of 2006, a Shiite woman returns to her Lebanese homeland to search for her missing son and sister. She and her taxi driver scour through the rubble of local towns that were caught up in the heart of the conflict, engaging with numerous survivors and soldiers. The stories they gather through these encounters and the experience they share through their risky journey develop in them an intimate bond that is able to transcend class, religion and politics. Under the Bombs presents a heart-wrenching look into what is lost in war, but delivers a sense of hope that can transcend loss.

Multi-award winning Under the Bombs has screened at film festivals the world over. The film was shot entirely on location during the summer of 2006, amidst the ruins of war-torn Lebanon. Aractingi hired only two professional actors for the lead roles - all subordinate characters are real refugees, journalists and soldiers. Their testimonies are interwoven with news footage of the 34-day war.

Director's Biography:

Born and raised in Beirut, Philippe Aractingi has made over 40 films throughout his career, ranging from reports and documentaries to more personal and fictional films. His topics of predilection – identity, immigration, exile and travel – are broadly explored in his fictional work, as well as in his documentaries. His 2005 film Bosta was a huge success in Lebanon, chosen as the official Lebanese submission to the 79^th annual Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Venue: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave.,
Toronto M5S 1J5 (off St. George St., one block south of Bloor, Subway St. George)
$10 / $8 students and seniors