The Insult

THE INSULT was the opening film at Arab Film Days in 2018 and is an intense political drama that demonstrates the explosive power of small words while providing insight into the tense relationship between Christians and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

The story begins with an argument between Yasser, a Palestinian handyman trying to fix pipes in a Beirut neighborhood, and Tony, a Christian resident of the area. It culminates with Tony shouting at Yasser: «Sharon should have wiped you all out when he had the chance»—an insult that sets off a personal and national crisis.

With The Insult, director Ziad Doueiri offers a fresh perspective on a lesser-discussed aspect of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The audience is also introduced to the Lebanese Civil War, which continues to permeate the country's political and social life. However, at its core, this is a universal story that could unfold in any country with a history of ethnic conflict or where nationalism is on the rise.

The Insult is a gripping film that reveals the explosive power of small words and how a single statement can reignite a decades-old conflict, without glorifying or demonizing either side.

The film is the first Lebanese production to receive an Oscar nomination, and Kamel El Basha won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival.

Archive 2018

Director

Ziad Doueiri (b. 1963) is from Lebanon but studied film in the United States, where he worked as a camera assistant on several of Quentin Tarantino's films. Doueiri made his directorial debut with the autobiographical film West Beirut (1998), which was praised by film critics worldwide. He has also directed the films Lila Says (2004) and The Attack (2012).

This film is part of