Lebanese film "Under the Concrete" observes Beirut from the eyes of the people. Directed by Roy Arida, the film observes daily life of Lebanese in Beirut.
The story of the film revolves around a young man, Ellie, who does various jobs at the same time. However, his passion is ping.
He decides to surrender his routine job and focuses on breaking a worldwide record and pe into the sea to reach 350 meters under the surface of the sea.
Through Ellie's eyes, the audience can experience the inner pain of the suffering city. The city is always bleeding and lives in a status of instability.
This tragic mood affects the people of the city including Ellie, who is suffering from overthinking, and confusion. This sense of confusion is proved in many situations. For example his relationship.
Ellie suffers from isolation and detachment due to the common sense of instability and loss.
The director of the film wants to give the audience a new kind of hero, a hero that will fail.
Arida expressed, "I want to say that the real value is hidden in the journey."
The scenes of the sea, ping, facing horrible visions, and bleeding describe the real mood of despair Ellie lives.
He is working hard to attach himself to a place, and he is trying to regain his sense of belonging. But, he is always lost.
These feelings of loss are described in the scene of Ellie floating on the surface of the sea.
The film takes the form of a documentary film which is represented in the shots, the usage of lights, focusing on glass, mirrors, waters to enhance the concept of reflecting what existed in real life.
Therefore, Arida chooses Ellie Negm as the main protagonist in the film although he is not a professional actor. He is a ping coach.
"Under the Concrete" was screened yesterday at Cairo Opera House Small Theater. It is participating in the CIFF Horizons of Arab Cinema competition.
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