As a film enthusiast with a penchant for documentaries that delve deep into societal complexities, I eagerly anticipate Raed Rafei’s latest offering, “Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities.” Having followed Rafei’s career since his Teddy Award-winning masterpiece, “Miguel’s War,” I am intrigued by his return to his hometown, Tripoli.
In a world premiere at the Frontlight section of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), taking place from November 14-24, the documentary titled Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities, directed by Lebanese filmmaker Raed Rafei, is set to debut. The first official trailer for this film, produced by Rafei’s company Anwar Film and Eliane Raheb, has been unveiled by The Hollywood Reporter.
Filmmaker Raed Rafei, known for his queer work, goes back to his hometown Tripoli, Lebanon in a new documentary. The film explores the city’s residents’ cultural and social perspectives, delving into their openness towards fresh ideas. This introspective urban composition portrays a city grappling with its own intricate web, struggling under a severe economic downturn, an unfulfilled revolution, and the impending specter of disaster.
The movie titled “Miguel’s War,” directed by him, was honored with the Teddy Award at the Berlinale Film Festival in 2021. He described it as a moving portrayal, seen through a queer perspective, of significant and dramatic events Lebanon has gone through over the past few years, leading up to the present devastating conflict.
Rafei, who hails from Tripoli, shared that this place has been instrumental in shaping his life and identity. Growing up as a queer individual, he found the city’s predominantly heteronormative culture challenging. However, despite the initial discomfort, he finds himself drawn back to it irresistibly whenever he visits, after moving away.
The trailer (you can see below) features various individuals expressing their thoughts, ranging from one questioning, “What’s the significance of being a girl or a boy?” to another discussing the Quranic interpretation of the fate of the people of Sodom. In addition, terms like “doomsday,” “high heels,” “black sheep,” “diversity,” “revolution,” and “collapse phase” are incorporated within the sneak peek.
Rafei shared, “Cinema helped me navigate the city better. The movie particularly dissects the roots of homophobic conversations while also delving into the richness and intricacy of connecting with one’s hometown. Being a local and yet an outsider of Tripoli gave me a unique perspective to examine its various aspects, seeing it as both a tangible location and a mythical, dreamlike place.
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2024-10-18 17:24