The El Gouna Film Festival 2024 #GFF24 hosted a compelling panel discussion featuring acclaimed Lebanese filmmakers Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Jorei
The El Gouna Film Festival 2024 #GFF24 hosted a compelling panel discussion featuring acclaimed Lebanese filmmakers Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, recipients of this year’s Creative Achievement Award, set to be honored at the festival’s closing ceremony. The session, moderated by renowned film critic Jean-Michel Verdun, provided attendees with a profound look into the duo’s journey, artistic vision, and the complexities of creating cinema in Lebanon.
The conversation began with Joana sharing personal reflections on Memory Box, a film rooted in her own youthful experiences and inspired by letters and recordings exchanged with a childhood friend. “These documents serve as the film’s foundation,” she explained. “They represent three generations and encapsulate human stories about how a mother’s memories shape her daughter and the intertwined legacy between generations.” The narrative follows a Lebanese family from the 1980s, where the daughter uncovers a “memory box” filled with stories and photographs that reveal her mother’s hidden past.
Joana emphasized that the film explores the relationship between past and present, focusing on the selective nature of memory—what we choose to remember and what we let go. “Crafting memory is not merely recounting facts; it is an artistic process that blends reality with imagination,” she noted.
The discussion also highlighted I Want to See, a film providing an introspective look at Lebanon’s turmoil. Khalil described the film’s goal as showcasing the human side of people living amid conflict, moving beyond mere statistics to portray their complexities. He recounted filming on the Lebanese border, capturing the lives and struggles of those impacted by conflict, transcending symbolic and local constraints through art. The film presents its characters in multidimensional, humanized ways, focusing on more than just war.
On The Lebanese Rocket Society, the duo recounted the story of young Lebanese students in the 1960s who dreamed of space exploration under the mentorship of their mathematics teacher. This narrative was a beacon of peace, hope, and aspiration, contrasting with the backdrop of conflict and weaponry. They showcased their ability to blend fiction with reality, exploring boundless creativity despite limited resources.
Driven by the lack of public spaces in Lebanon, Joana and Khalil initiated a temporary cinema project last year, featuring three screening rooms with 100 to 200 seats and an outdoor cinema. The initiative went beyond film screenings to include a technical center, a “Cinematheque,” and a library designed to enhance and spread cinematic culture.
Despite the presence of many talented directors in Lebanon, the duo discussed the formidable challenges facing the country’s film industry. They highlighted the difficulties in producing films under the current socio-political conditions, emphasizing that representing Lebanon’s reality requires courage and resilience to navigate artistic and logistical obstacles. Their latest project seeks to offer an honest and moving portrayal of contemporary Lebanese life.
As the session drew to a close, Joana and Khalil expressed that creating a film requires a dedicated, passionate team that collaborates to bring artistic vision to life. They conveyed their joy in showcasing their work at the festival, considering the award a recognition of their continuous artistic journey.
Nabil Alani – ElGouna Film Festival 2024 – #GFF24
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