Based on a true story: Omar Itani’s journey through ridiculous resilience
- L’Orient Today
DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
I first heard of this article in August 2024 when I first arrived in Paris. I was astonished by the story, the absurdity, and the mix of hope and sorrow it made me feel for the Lebanese people. As an Iranian the instability and chaos is not a new topic, however, I found the resilience of this small country with people of diverse religious and ethnic groups beyond admirable. Needless to say the story stayed with me for months. When airstrikes on Beirut began in the Fall of the same year, this story continued churning in my head. A story of an old couple that resumed to their normal habits after such a horrific event, I imagine they were probably doing the same then, because they have suffered and become accustomed to these events in their homeland.
Upon seeing the effect these events had on my Lebanese friends abroad, many who told me their families in Lebanon are more calm than they are, I knew this story must be brought to the screen. By the end of November I wrote the story from memory with my own twist on it. Meanwhile I hunted for the original piece. In the winter I approached Lynn with the project, having learned of the story with her and having her in mind for my main character. We are working together to create an authentic and powerful piece. We hope to show resilience, absurdity, and strength. However, I also would like to remind the international community of what we have all become desensitized to for Middle Eastern countries. We have gotten too use to the headlines, the death, the children who lose limbs, and the houses that are demolished. As long as the international community remains desensitized these horrific events will continue. And should resilience turns to numbness, almost acceptance, changing our world for the better also becomes harder- an issue all too close to home for me.
By contributing to this film you will help make this project possible, one we hope to submit for festivals and make available to audiences world wide. The money will be used to fund set and equipment rentals, paying our talent, costume and set design, as well as post production. No donation is too little!
LOGLINE:
On a quiet, sunlit morning in Beirut, a sudden explosion shatters the calm. Alia and Fadi, injured while working in their bookshop, never find out the cause. Instead, they are offered coffee from their neighbors for helping them, as if it is any other day.
DIRECTO'S BIO:
Lilinaz Hakimi is an Iranian American filmmaker and actress. She recently graduated from the dual BA program between Sciences Po Paris and Columbia University, studying Political Science of the MENA and Film/Media. Her first student film, FOR HER, was shot in her third year and was dedicated to the brave women in Iran fighting for their basic freedoms. Since she has worked at Paradise City Sales (International Film Sales company) based in Paris. She is now pursuing filmmaking and initiatives to strengthen the Iranian diaspora.
