(A Sneak Peak)
Ziad Doueiri, 2017, 113 min
In today’s Beirut, a civilian dispute blown out of proportion finds Tony (Adel Karam), a Lebanese Christian, and Yasser (Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner Kamel El Basha), a Palestinian refugee, facing off in court. As the media circus surrounding the case threatens a social explosion in divided Lebanon, Tony and Yasser reconsider their values and beliefs as revelations of trauma complicate their understanding of one another.
After leaving Lebanon during its Civil War, Ziad Doueiri moved to the US to study film at San Diego State University. He went on to work as a camera operator on Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown. His directorial debut, the critically acclaimed Cannes Film Festival Directors Fortnight selection West Beirut, put him on the map as one of the most promising directors from the Middle East. His third film The Attack, a controversial drama about an Arab Israeli surgeon whose life is shattered after discovering his wife was a suicide bomber, was a critical and box office hit. He lives in Paris.
“The Insult will become a major talking point.”- Jay Weissberg, Variety
“Compelling….Rich with feelings that transcend the sprawling national backdrop.” - Eric Kohn, IndieWire
“The Insult also starts exploring more abstract matters such as what triggers people, is there such a thing as a too-emotional response and the extent to which historical grievances count and influence people’s behavior today.” - Boyd van Hoeij, Hollywood Reporter
The French production is Lebanon’s official selection for the 2018 Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film and it won the audience award at the AFI Fest in LA after premiering at the Telluride & Toronto Film Festivals. A Cohen Media Group release, the film will open on January 26th in New York City.
Attendees are welcome to join for a cocktail party sponsored by Intîme Boutique Wine in the Maysles Cinema lounge after the screening.
Tickets : $20
With the support of UniFrance, Intîme Wine and Shrine.
This screening is the 6th event of the new Harlem film series Uptown Flicks @ Maysles curated by Adeline Monzier and co-organized by Marie Gentine. The monthly series features screenings of top recent French films and documentaries followed by a drink to mingle and share reactions!
