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Beirut, Never Again

Name: Beirut, Never Again
Director: Jocelyne Saab
Released: 1976
Duration: 37 min

Representation Score

8.6/10

Excellent

1976

Director

Jocelyne Saab

Runtime

37 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Beirut, Never Again (1976) deconstructs the typical heroic portrayal of warfare by using a child’s perspective and a female gaze. The film shifts the focus from geopolitical events to the psychological impact on individuals and society. It successfully captures the complex, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious reality of Beirut during a time of societal collapse. However, the film does not explicitly address LGBTQ+ identities or individual stories of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Beirut, Never Again have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or non-cisgender identities.

How does Beirut, Never Again portray gender?

Good

The film challenges traditional masculine war narratives by focusing on a female perspective and the psychological impact of violence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Beirut, Never Again?

Good

The documentary highlights the diverse ethnic and religious communities of Beirut in the mid-1970s, showing a pluralistic society facing collapse.

How does Beirut, Never Again represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film depicts the breakdown of traditional social structures, including family and religion, emphasizing the fragility of the post-colonial state.

Does Beirut, Never Again include disability representation?

Fair

The film presents physical and psychological trauma as environmental consequences rather than individual stories of disability.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional masculine war narratives through a nuanced female perspective.
Highlights the multi-ethnic and multi-religious reality of Beirut.
Provides a critical look at the breakdown of state institutions and social orders.

Limited or Absent

Could benefit from including explicit LGBTQ+ narratives.
Could focus more on individual stories of physical and neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

1976 marks the beginning of Beirut’s calvary. With a child’s eyes the filmmaker follows for six months the daily destruction of the city’s walls. Every morning, between 6 and 10am she roams around Beirut while the militia from both sides rest from their night of fighting.

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