News

M (m.media) announces the release of Ziad Rahbani second play-turned-film

Film Ameriki Tawil


Film Ameriki Tawil
USPA NEWS - Beirut, Lebanon ““ Beirut-based video streaming platform M (m.media), along with its sister company Mercury Content, has announced the next original Ziad Rahbani play to be released as a film: Film Ameriki Tawil.
As part of collaboration between M (m.media), Mercury Content and the artist, the 1980 play was turned into a film following the cleaning up and selection of original footage from several performances, which Ziad´s sister, the late Layal Rahbani, had filmed using a “Super 8“ camera. The rushes spent two years abroad for intensive restoration by specialists, before returning to Beirut for the remaining editing efforts. The cleanup process proved to be delicate, since the 36-year old footage was initially an internal tool to help the crew during rehearsals. The result is a 100-minute film with archival properties, which assures to stir Lebanon´s collective memory.
In this respect, Film Ameriki Tawil includes some minor glitches, but it is a major improvement in picture and sound ““ now with the 5.1 enhanced surround sound.

The play is about seven mentally ill patients and two drug addicts in a psychiatric hospital in West Beirut during the civil war. Even amid their hysteria and unrest, the patients´ farcical statements seem to make more sense than those of the medical staff. And still, they undergo various treatments meant to drug or brainwash them into compliance with the status quo.
Film Ameriki Tawil is one of Ziad´s most acclaimed and astute works, winning over Lebanese listeners from all sorts of backgrounds, sects, and ideologies. Every character represents a different mindset stemming from the civil war, and as the story unfolds, the public is invited to question the social norms and general feelings that were established at that time ““ and that live on to this day.
The project is particularly exciting for M (m.media), as it will be another breakthrough in its online compilation of films, plays and documentaries, Effectively, it fits the company´s efforts in curating and producing relevant alternative content from or about Lebanon and the Middle East.The film will be out in all major cinemas across Lebanon.
Starting October 20, 2016. In later stages, Film Ameriki Tawil, along with Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou? and all upcoming original productions, will be available to watch for subscribers on: www.m.media
Film Ameriki Tawil Official Trailer: https://m.media/en/Films/VID-000778
About M
M (m.media) is a video streaming platform aimed at producing and curating edgy, bold and relevant content on a local, regional and international scale. It is designed to be an unconventional space where culture meets entertainment, users´ opinions and ideas are valued, and innovative originals are produced. With the launch of its Beta version, M has started with a selection of films, series, documentaries and plays available to stream.
About Mercury Content
As a multimedia content house based in Beirut, we create contextually relevant and culturally meaningful ideas and content that inspire minds, entertain hearts and promote positive change across media forms ““ film, music, books and apps ““ catering to Lebanon and the rest of the world. From diligent information acquisition and management, content architecture and design, to editorial and production, our aim is to connect societies to heritage and spotlight their artists, writers, filmmakers, prominent figures and leading lights. Mercury Content is a subsidiary of the Quantum Group.
For more information, visit: www.mercury.me
Liability for this article lies with the author, who also holds the copyright. Editorial content from USPA may be quoted on other websites as long as the quote comprises no more than 5% of the entire text, is marked as such and the source is named (via hyperlink).