MOVIE REVIEW
To Close Your Eyes and See Fire
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 39m
Director(s): Nicola von Leffern, Jakob Carl Sauer
Language(s): Arabic, English, French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: shown at the Zurich Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: TO CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SEE FIRE takes us through the heart of Beirut, a city piecing itself back together after a devastating explosion. This film stands as a testament to the undying spirit of its residents, capturing their daily struggles and fleeting moments of joy amid relentless chaos.

TO CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SEE FIRE transforms Beirut from a mere backdrop to the full-fledged heart of the story, a city pulsing with resilience and hope despite its scars. As the narrative unfolds over three years, we are drawn into the lives of individuals marked by the disaster. Aya, a young Syrian refugee, confronts the grim realities of her underground home. Her nightly terrors bleed into daybreak, yet she finds a semblance of escape in folding paper airplanes, launching them toward the horizon as symbols of her longing for freedom. This recurring motif of hope connects the varied tales of those bound to the city's fate.

In his studio, Selim, a driven artist and activist, uses his canvas to battle the decay of societal and governmental structures. His vibrant yet tortured art cries out against the corruption eroding the city's foundations. Meanwhile, Selim combats his demons, numbing his wounds with substances—a stark depiction of the toll exacted by his relentless pursuit of justice.

On the other end of the spectrum, Yasmin provides a serene counterpoint amidst the turmoil. As a counselor at a suicide prevention hotline, she engages with the city's unseen scars daily. Her calls unveil the lingering emotional devastation, showcasing the film’s delicate handling of Beirut's broader narrative of resilience and recovery.

Shifting the focus to healing, Andrea redirects her activist passion into dance following the tragedy. She established Beirut Physical Lab, a sanctuary where dance and movement therapy become mediums for communal healing and personal expression. Her journey from protest to performance art underscores the transformative potential of creativity in the aftermath of trauma.

Amidst these intimate portraits, Jamal and his family's saga epitomizes the collective struggle for survival and dignity. As they cultivate their small plot of land, they also develop resilience, standing as defiant symbols of resistance against the crushing weight of economic and social upheaval.

The film's visual and auditory tapestry enriches these narratives, with static shots evolving into dynamic sequences that reflect the protagonists’ emotional and physical journeys. The score, crafted by HVOB, weaves a sonic layer of despair and resilience, enhancing the film’s immersion into the emotional landscape of Beirut.

TO CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SEE FIRE is more than a documentary; it is a profound exploration of the human condition. It weaves personal struggles with overarching socio-political issues, reminding us that behind every statistic are stories of real people enduring, surviving, and occasionally thriving despite overwhelming odds. The film chronicles the aftermath of a catastrophic event and celebrates the enduring human spirit—a powerful narrative of resilience and the incredible capacity for collective healing.

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[photo courtesy of GOLDEN GIRLS FILMPRODUKTION]

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