THE INSULT

THE INSULT (L’INSULTE), 2017

Lebanon, France |DCP, Color, 112' |Arabic

Director: Ziad Doueiri

Cast: Nah Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha, Rita Hayek

The conflicting political views of two men initially result with an insult, then slowly turning into a national crisis. A devout supporter of the Christian Democratic Union of Lebanon, the far right Toni makes a complaint about the construction in his neighborhood and argues with building site foreman Yasser, a refugee who doesn’t have a work permit. During the argument an insult is made, and the two men find themselves in court. Before long, the incident becomes a deeper political issue involving the whole country. The political film brought its leading actor Kamel El Basha, the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, and renders the national crises of Lebanon through the depiction of a relationship between individuals.