The joint Lebanese and French production Ard al Majhoul (Unknown Land) by Lebanese director Ghassan Salhab, was screened Saturday as part of an event entitled Special View at the 55th Cannes International Film Festival.
The film depicts characters that are suspended between a past that they do not want to remember and a mysterious future in Beirut these days. The director conveys his message through young characters that reflect the country’s circumstances after a devastating war that destroyed everything.
Unknown Land depicts the inevitable bewilderment which controls all characters amid the noisy place that does not know calm. This noise is generated by the heavy equipment used in constructing roads and buildings in addition to the car horns and the roaring jets arriving at Beirut airport. Added to all of these noises is the radio sound, which continues throughout the film.
The film explores the life of a group of youth: Tareq who has recently returned to Lebanon and who does not know whether to stay or leave the country. Thurayya seeks to leave the country through obtaining entry visas to foreign countries but has not reached a final decision to leave. She trades her body through temporary relations as if she reflects another image of the city.
Nadim who constructs high buildings haphazardly and without any planning spends most of his time in front of the computer in an attempt to reshape the features of Beirut which he covers completely with green color. Laila is confused whether to believe in spiritual faith or not while Haider continues to follow the news on the radio and in the newspapers as if it he feeds on them.
Except Haider all characters have friendly relationships but these relations appear to be hanging in the air and uncertain. Tareq, for example, loves Thurayya but he leaves the country and although she forgets him when he returns both meet again.
All the film’s characters want to run away from something…from the upcoming unknown…from the unknown land -- Albawaba.com
