- The Imprisoned Splendour that is Lebanon, manifests itself on many different levels. Its unique religious and cultural dichotomies, its geographical and historical position in global events and its future role in a volatile and turbulent Middle East. The Film will show Lebanon's natural beauty and location within the heart of the Middle East and the spirit of hospitality and generosity of its people which serve to create an oasis that is the Lebanese people's international legacy. The Film will examine the strong family unit, an endemic feature of Lebanese society, which has proved to be a biding and empowering force in a nation devastated by war. The pervading themes of the Film will be emphasised by drawing upon the principles of the great Lebanese poet, writer and philosopher - Kahlil Gibran - one of Lebanon's greatest National Treasures. We will examine, through interviews with Key figures, the issues that are deep-seated within an historical, cultural and religious context and which form the basis of fundamental differences that underly Lebanon today. We will seek to discover whether the emotional scars of the war can ever be healed, and at what cost. By unlocking these issues, we will seek to release the "Imprisoned Splendour" that is a stepping stone to harmony within - Lebanon.
- In 1970 at age 5, Daizy Gedeon moves with her family from Lebanon to Australia. In 1993, she returns to see if anything is there besides terror and to discover her past. She begins with ancient history: Phoenicia's trade dominated the Mediterranean, Jesus began his public life in Cana, and splinter sects sought refuge in Lebanon's mountains. Next, with stories from Omar Sharif, Gedeon explores the dynamic and tolerant society that emerged from Ottoman rule and French occupation, Lebanon's golden age. Then, in 1975, war breaks out. Gedeon argues that forces beyond Lebanon's borders and culture promote the war, and that a "wonderful tolerance" is still at the country's root.—<jhailey@hotmail.com>
- The Imprisoned Splendour that is Lebanon, manifests itself on many different levels. Its unique religious and cultural dichotomies, its geographical and historical position in global events and its future role in a volatile and turbulent Middle East.
The Film will show Lebanon's natural beauty and location within the heart of the Middle East and the spirit of hospitality and generosity of its people which serve to create an oasis that is the Lebanese people's international legacy.
We travelled to all corners of the tiny 10,452sqm country, up hills and down dales; through zouks or souks; from the Frontline to the Greenline; through checkpoints and checkouts; sipping Ahhweh (coffee) to sculling Arak (national drink); witnessed the poverty and inhumanity in the Palestinian refugee camps, and spied on the actions of the occupying Syrian Army troops; I ate the most delicious Kibbeh Neh and Mahnoosh I had ever experienced in my life - (sorry Mum - the Hogget is so much fresher in Lebanon - they kill it right in front of you ;) ) _ I walked through the serenity of the ancient Cedar tree groves and felt their biblical beginnings; I danced the night away carefree and un-daunted by the bombings and the war that raged only kilometres away; I witnessed the resilience and determination of the people never to give up, their "F... You! - You can't beat me" defiance to the myriad of external armies that had taken up residence in their capital city, once described as the "Paris of the Middle East" and were slowly, piece by piece dismantling and pulling apart the very vestiges of a magnificent history that the natives refused to let go of.
The Film will examine the strong family unit, an endemic feature of Lebanese society, which has proved to be a biding and empowering force in a nation devastated by war.
The pervading themes of the Film will be emphasised by drawing upon the principles of the great Lebanese poet, writer and philosopher - Kahlil Gibran - one of Lebanon's greatest National Treasures.
We will examine, through interviews with Key figures, the issues that are deep-seated within an historical, cultural and religious context and which form the basis of fundamental differences that underly Lebanon today.
We will seek to discover whether the emotional scars of the war can ever be healed, and at what cost.
By unlocking these issues, we will seek to release the "Imprisoned Splendour" that is a stepping stone to harmony within... Lebanon.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content