TEDDY AWARD Winner Roy Dib talks about his movie 'Mondial 2010' and queer film making in Lebanon

Summary

Key Points

• Roy Dib's film 'Mod Souk Ain' depicts a gay Lebanese couple undertaking an 'impossible journey' to Ramallah, a trip not allowed due to the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel. 0:27
• The film's premise stems from Dib's curiosity about the separation between Lebanon and Palestine, two close yet inaccessible countries for their citizens. 1:49
• Despite the political and social barriers, the film was screened in Beirut at various venues, including the Lebanese Film Festival where it received an award. 2:33
• Films can bypass direct censorship if screened during festival opening nights, which are often invitation-only and not subject to the same permit requirements as commercial screenings. 4:23
• Screening films with queer content in Lebanon is complicated by censorship from the General Security, which requires permits and can lead to bans or demands for scene elimination. 5:31
• Lebanese censorship typically targets criticism of the president, religion, and sexual content, with queer themes often facing stricter scrutiny. 7:04
• Dib emphasizes that the film's focus on a gay couple as protagonists is a deliberate political statement within Arab cinema, challenging the common practice of portraying queer characters in stereotypical or secondary roles. 9:25
• The film's narrative intentionally maintains a distance, questioning the possibility of the journey rather than presenting it as a magical reality, thus prompting audience reflection. 9:49
• Dib faced challenges with shooting permits, receiving a permit with conditions not to 'promote' homosexuality or drug use, highlighting the vague and debatable nature of censorship guidelines. 12:01
• The legal basis for criminalizing homosexuality in Lebanon is an old French mandate law against 'relations against nature,' which is inconsistently applied and subject to judicial interpretation. 13:05