back

Casting for a Film, Ihsan’s Diary

Forum Expanded Exhibition 2026
© Lamia Joreige
The video installation documents the casting for lead roles in Lamia Joreige’s feature Jerusalem: The Diary of Ihsan Turjman. In collaboration with Palestinian writer Majd Kayyal, Joreige adapted a 1915 manuscript by a Jerusalemite soldier in the Ottoman army. The film explores Ihsan’s daily struggles during the Second World War – famine, epidemics and political turmoil – as he contemplates Palestine’s uncertain future. Though idealistic, he is torn by fear and dreams of studying abroad and marrying his platonic love. Before the war ends, he is assassinated by an enamoured officer. In Beirut, Palestinian and Lebanese actors audition for Ihsan, Soraya and Mohieddine. They perform scenes with varied interpretations, pausing to discuss character, acting and how to portray Jerusalem, which is inaccessible to them. Reflecting on the region’s present-day conflicts, they explore longing, identity and memory – bridging past, present and future. Meanwhile, an animated drawing of Jerusalem gradually unfolds in the background.
by Lamia Joreige (Director, Screenplay), Majd Kayyal (Screenplay)
with Rana Zidane, Aly Harkous, Imad Alawneh, Omar Ahmed, Dana El Sherif Lebanon 2026 Arabic Colour World premiere

With

  • Rana Zidane (Soraya)
  • Aly Harkous (Ihsan)
  • Imad Alawneh (Mohieddine)
  • Omar Ahmed (Ihsan)
  • Dana El Sherif (Soraya)

Crew

Director Lamia Joreige
Screenplay Lamia Joreige, Majd Kayyal
Cinematography Bassem Fayad
Editing Sandra Fatté
Sound Design Fadi Tabbal
Casting Nicole Kamato
Animation Lamia Joreige
Executive Producers Lamia Joreige, Nicole Kamato
Co-Producers Lamia Joreige, Nicole Kamato

Produced by

Lamia Joreige

Beirut, Lebanon

Nicole Kamato

Sin el-Fil, Lebanon

Photos

Lamia Joreige

© Géraldine Bruneel

Lamia Joreige is a visual artist and filmmaker based in Beirut. Her practice, rooted in her experience in Lebanon, reflects on history and its possible narration. She explores personal and collective memory through archival documents and fiction. She has written, directed and produced short films as well as a feature narrative presented internationally. Her artworks are widely exhibited. She was a fellow at Columbia University’s Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris (2021) and Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (2016–2017). She co-founded Beirut Art Center, serving as co-director from 2009 to 2014.

Filmography (selection)

1999 Objects of War (1,2,3,4,5,6) 2000 Replay 2002 Replay (bis) 2003 ﻫُﻨَﺎك وَرُﻤﺑﱠ َﺎ ﻫُﻨَﺎ (Here and Perhaps Elsewhere) 2004 Sleep 2007 Un Voyage (A Journey) 2013 Nights and Days 2014 And the Living is Easy 2016 After the river 2021 Sun & Sea 2026 Casting for a film, Ihsan’s Diary; Forum Expanded 2026

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026