An invitation to the opening of the 30th European Film Festival offered another glimpse into Beirut’s cultural life.
Some of the most interesting moments of a film festival happen before the film begins.
On Thursday, 8 October, I joined the opening night of the 30th European Film Festival in Lebanon at Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael. Guests gathered outdoors before the screening, and the evening offered a welcome opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, meet new people and enjoy the hospitality.
Among the guests were diplomats, filmmakers, artists and members of Lebanon’s cultural community, brought together by an interest in cinema. It was a lively gathering, and I particularly appreciated the opportunity to exchange conversations with people from different backgrounds.
We then moved inside for La Vénus électrique (The Electric Kiss), Pierre Salvadori’s French-Belgian romantic comedy, which had opened the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Set in Paris in 1928, it follows a grieving painter and a carnival worker whose elaborate deception leads to an unexpected romance.
Only a few days earlier, my travels had taken me to autumn harvest festivals in Rashaya and Chatine, documenting agricultural traditions, local producers and community initiatives. Now I was in Beirut, attending an international film festival. Very different experiences, yet both are part of the Lebanon I continue to explore and document.
The country’s identity is not found only in its historical monuments, landscapes and traditions. Its contemporary arts, creative talent and cultural gatherings are equally important.
What makes the European Film Festival particularly valuable is the exchange it encourages. Lebanese audiences discover films and perspectives from across Europe, while emerging Lebanese filmmakers gain opportunities to present their work and build international connections.
Since its launch in 1993, the festival has become part of Lebanon’s cultural calendar. Reaching its 30th edition is particularly meaningful given the challenges the country has experienced over those years.
I left Metropolis appreciating not only the film and the warm reception, but also the continued effort behind such cultural initiatives. They deserve our participation and support, as do the artists, filmmakers and cultural institutions that keep them going.
For more about the opening night, the film and the festival program, visit my Lebanon Today.
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