The Civic Influence Hub (CIH) hosted a panel discussion with Daisy Gedeon, writer and film producer of the movie “Enough” which was screened at the Cannes International Film Festival, to talk about its dimensions and cultural and national backgrounds, with the participation of the film’s team and in presence of the Hub’s board member, Faysal El-Khalil; its Executive Director, Ziad El-Sayegh; journalists and interested stakeholders.
After a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Beirut Port blast, and a welcoming note from El Sayegh, the film promotion was screened. Then, Gedeon presented the idea of the film. She said that the word “Enough” may not suffice to encompass the pain, disappointment and suffering of the Lebanese, nor to talk about their just cause. It is the strongest and most accurate expression to describe the situation in Lebanon and to convey the voice of the Lebanese and the pain they had faced and are presently facing."
The hour and a half long film is a dialogue documentary that aims to archive the events with impartiality and objectiveness based on the truth, while aspiring to create a public opinion that aspires for historical change. What is meant here, from Gedeon's point of view, is to urge the Lebanese, residents and expatriates, to adopt a transformative vision and strive to achieving the same with an integrated and cumulative action in defense of the Lebanese cause. The film was met with positive feedback from juries and filmmakers after its screening in Cannes. It will be broadcasted in five specialized international festivals, before landing in Australian, American, Canadian, European and Arab movie theatres, and finally in Lebanon, starting next November.
“Enough” starts from the moment of the Beirut port blast on August 4, 2020, when the Lebanese people were wrapped in sadness, pain and anger after decades of abuse by the ruling regime. The expression “Enough is Enough” encapsulates this pain.
If the port blast is strongly present in the film, nevertheless, the main narrative is mainly drawn from the October 17 revolution and the Lebanese disappointment with the political failure at all levels, especially since work on this project started in 2016.
Gedeon asserts that she had no intention, during her work on the film, “to convey the point of view of the political parties, especially with regards to the Beirut blast. It took her 5 years to make the film and it was mainly intended to compare Lebanon in the sixties and seventies with the post-war Lebanon and the relative improvement in tourism, the economy and services,” but the August 4 tragedy became omnipresent in the film's track and in its final production.
Gedeon recalls that she conducted tens of interviews with Lebanese from various political parties, sects, and economic, social and academic levels.” I was surprised to see that the concerns, fears, despair and pain are the same despite the different expressions of life and well-being that only helped disguise upcoming collapses; one must keep in mind the widening credibility gap between politicians and the people."
Gedeon asserts that, "throughout her experience in the world of writing, marketing and advertising, she wanted to convey the voice of the Lebanese to the world. The Lebanese know well their problems and demands, but they need to let the world and the diaspora know what these are. Hence, the role of the cinema, music and the documentaries, that help mobilize Lebanese expatriates and win their support to the Lebanese cause”.
Gedeon stops at a remarkable irony, which is that "the majority of politicians (she met) share their reading of the situation and pretend to make sacrifices in the interest of the country, while falsely claiming they have a sincere point of view!! Just as the revolutionaries in the squares confirm that their vision is correct.. Here lies the responsibility of the writer and producer to present the issue with impartiality and objectivity,” she summarizes her vision by saying that “change is possible, and rather inevitable, though not through the existing political class. But it is necessary for the people to be convinced of the change, and to resort to constitutional mechanisms and methods through elections, to install a gradual change. This is a matter of profound transformation that takes time. And that's what I believe in."
Therefore, Gedeon, by screening the film in the main diaspora countries, wants to urge the Lebanese diaspora to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections to contribute to the required change.
As Gedeon carefully awaits the authorization to show the film in Lebanon, she finds herself along with all the Lebanese people invited to spread a message of hope, peace, love, diversity and human dignity from Lebanon to the world while remaining deeply convinced that the Vatican and Pope Francis at its head, affirm that Lebanon’s apostolicity is profound and its identity will not fall, for it is blessed.”
In conclusion, and on behalf of the CIH, El-Khalil presented Gedeon with a Cedar tree, as a symbol of Lebanon's immortality, and as a token of appreciation and recognition for her distinguished work in the service of Lebanon throughout the world.
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