Under The Bombs

Filmmakers discuss making Under the Bombs

PARK CITY

I had somewhat low expectations for Under the Bombs. I can't really pinpoint why... but I assumed I'd find a fairly low budget documentary-style narrative film that was far more interesting in concept and subject than in artistic value and watchability. I saw it because I felt it was one of those films that "had to be seen."

But... not only was the film quite watchable, it was actually good! I mean, it's not like it blew me away or anything, but I'd definitely recommend it to others and would gladly watch it again.

So what's the premise here? In the summer of 2006, Lebanon was relentlessly bombed for 33 straight days killing over a thousand people and displacing millions. By the time the UN-backed cease fire finally took hold, families had been scattered, thousands of homes destroyed and much of people's basic needs were nearly non-existent in the south part of the country. Desperately seeking to find her son and sister who were living in the South during the attacks, Zeina arrives on a boat from Dubai and enlists the help of the only cab driver crazy enough to take her to that part of the country. Their journey to reconnect with Zeina's family takes them through landscapes of utter destruction, bombed-out bridges, areas with no remaining gasoline and mourning communities over a period of several days. Initially distant, Zeina and Tony, the cab driver, soon become friends and come together in the task of retracing her son and sister's last whereabouts.

Underneath it all, it's a story about shared humanity that renders differences of class, religion and politics irrelevant when faced by a common goal. Tony and Zeina's journey is long and extremely dangerous, but the bond that grows between them and those around them is incredibly strong.

The most remarkable thing about this film is that it was shot 10 days into the actual bombings using many nonactors by a French-Lebanese documentary filmmaker. Initially no script existed, so they more or less made it up as they went along. However, production value is surprisingly high, rivaling that of many independent Hollywood films. It balances various aspects of documentary and narrative filmmaking to great a film that feels incredibly real, but packs a well-written and personal story. Rather than simply trying to inform you on a subject, the film pulls you in and connects you with these characters who carry out their story in front of a backdrop no production designer could ever create. It effectively illuminates the trauma of war, leaving behind most of the politics of Hezbollah and the Israeli military. Very powerful stuff.