While trying to find some info about a certain video (more in a bit, let’s pace this story), I stumbled on this picture of Mounir Maasri in the Lebanese film Garo. I saw this screened a few years ago as part of a sideshow to Beirut’s annual European Film Festival; I’m guessing this was the one in 2003. The point of the auxiliary screenings, of course, was to bring younger audiences in contact with their film heritage, and so clearly, the theater was full of hipsters and film students; your typical Hamra-slash-Gemmeyze crowd.

As the quirky action film progressed, it was becoming obvious that everyone was trying their best to suppress their giggles. Finally, at one specific moment I believe was not too far from the shot depicted above, no-one could hold it any longer and the whole theater erupted in laughter. Wild, teary whooping laughter. And it was the greatest moment I’d ever shared with cinema-goers in my life. Seriously, it was really something.

Of course, I felt utter joy at our mutual recognition of the garbage being served to us as our heritage, but this was punctuated with bouts of melancholy and guilt over the lost naivete.

This was a pre-war film after all.

Which brings me back to the point being: is it possible that the ‘Agression and Resistance’ mentioned in Maasri’s filmography is the same as the ‘Liban: Agression et Resistance’ produced by the Lebanese Forces after the siege and massacre of Tal el Zaatar? Could he have written & directed this film featuring Bashir Gemeyel on his “drowning” among the Arabs?

I really have no clue. Any information anyone might have would be appreciated.