Mohammad is a Syrian builder in Beirut, who is struggling with the fact that he cannot have privacy, as living with several compatriots/work colleagues has prevented him from doing so. An opening scene, when he is locked in the bathroom and takes a photo of a woman in an extravagant dress, but is interrupted almost immediately, highlights this problem as much as his face, as they are led, shortly after, to the construction site they work on. On the same day, Mohammad decides to take the place of a colleague who died in an accident on an imposing and dangerous crane that everyone calls "The Beast". The way to the crane's operating room is dangerous, with the platform he carries there looking like something out of a horror movie, but when he finally reaches his destination, he finds what he's been looking for all along: a moment of privacy. However, his reaction, when he shows the photo once more, is not exactly what one would expect.
Dania Bdeir directs a very smart 15-minute short, which manages to make a number of realistic but scathing comments about the lives of immigrant workers, but also surprises in the most pleasant way. As for the first aspect, the way she uses very short scenes to highlight her comments, emerges as quite clever, with a word or a short scene here and there being ideal for the particular format. A curse on the workers as they drive down the street, the opening scene, another worker mentioning the conditions of his work, and a religious scene towards the end are the most memorable displays of this approach, in a way that also demands unwavering attention by part of its viewers. As such, Ali J. Dalloul's editing emerges as one of the best aspects of the short, the placement of these scenes within the narrative being ideal.
Director: Dania Bdeir
Writer: Dania Bdeir
Stars: Hassan Aqqoul, Khansa, Kamal Saleh
Where the movie really takes off, though, is in the tow truck scene. Firstly, the panoramic view of the rig as it inching towards the operating cabin is astounding, as is the wide shot highlighting the entire environment, with DP Shadi Chaaban capturing it most impressively. What's more, the aforementioned twist is truly impactful, both funny and contextually relevant, as a comment on how far removed the freedom of privacy is from the environment the protagonist inhabits, and how liberating these brief moments of solitude can be. At the same time, that one can only express himself in the particular setting when he is completely alone, is an additional comment that advances in the same way.
Mohamad Al in the title role is excellent, highlighting his discomfort and the transformation he undergoes in the most eloquent yet laconic way, the way he changes his face in the two car driving scenes being a testament to the acting. of the.
“Warsha” is an excellent short, which manages to present all of his comments in the most intelligent and entertaining way, while still emphasizing that beauty is found in the most unexpected places.
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