This is the third excerpt of the book chapter I wrote as part of the book “The Social Life of Memory: Violence, Trauma, and Testimony in Lebanon and Morocco”.

Ely Dagher's 2015 Waves '98 and Mounia Akl's 2016 Submarine, as unique responses to a feeling of despair brought about by the city/nation, explored through the theme of decay

“We hear many of these stories in the documentary, stories that exemplify Lebanon’s extraordinary tendency to defy whatever would seem to be in its own self-interest”

In conversation with the director of ‘Submarine’ (2016), Mounia Akl

In conversation with the Palme D’Or-winning director of ‘Waves ’98’, Ely Dagher

“Conflicting powers in Lebanon attempting to monopolize truth have created an environment in which “truth” cannot be determined by any recognizable social tool.”

“What About The Destruction Within Me?”. Suspended Dreams (أحلام معلقة), Mai Masri & Jean Khalil Chamoun

Nadia Tueni meets a student, Haitham Haddad, from the American University of Beirut (AUB) who talks to her about his love for music and his hatred of war.

Beautiful video of a Lebanese woman dancing to the tune of a Oud in 1980

Heritages is the story of Philippe Aractingi and his Franco-Lebanese family as they trace back their own family history and compare, contrast it with the history of Lebanon and the whole region.