Street of Death

On the outskirts of the city, right by the water, lies an arterial road that leads to Beirut’s international airport. Most of the houses standing there are illegal constructions, quickly erected for a life alongside the road.
Karam Ghossein, who also works as a cameraman for other video artists from Lebanon, combines pictures from a commissioned production he shot on the occasion of a friend’s wedding in 2004 with street impressions from the present day. Past events can’t be told apart from the observations of today: a kaleidoscope of stories that take place on this highway. From the sea, to the sky and back. Thoughts on the death of friends, and not so good friends. Exceedingly concrete by contrast, are the shots and screams in the night, the ambulances. Rituals of masculinity such as riding a motorcycle on its rear wheel. Fights for power and reputation that have stood the test of time. Ghossein’s friend never inquired after the video footage, he has long since taken a new wife. Pink wedding dresses, illegitimate children. Stories merge to become a new life.
by Karam Ghossein
with Mounzer Baalbaki
Lebanon / Germany 2017 Arabic 22’ Colour

With

  • Mounzer Baalbaki (Voice-Over)

Crew

Written and Directed by Karam Ghossein
Cinematography Karam Ghossein
Editing Vartan Avakian
Colour Correction Belal Hibri
Sound Design Ramzi Madi, Gábor Ripli
Producers Emily Dische-Becker, Karam Ghossein
Co-Production Lamha Productions Beirut, Libanon

World sales

Friendly Fire Films

Produced by

Friendly Fire Films

Karam Ghossein

Born in Nabatiye, South Lebanon in 1988, he lives in Beirut. He studied film and television at the Lebanese University. Since 2006 he has worked on numerous experimental, documentary and fiction short films as well as on TV productions, including as cinematographer on Al Marhala Al Rabiaa (The Fourth Stage) which screened in the 2016 Forum Expanded. His work has been shown at venues including MoMA in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Street of Death is his debut film as a director.

Filmography

2017 Street of Death

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017