Al Jazeera's Maroun Returns to Beirut screened at Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival has screened the documentary "Maroun Returns to Beirut” as part of the official competition under the Venice Classics category.The film was directed by Fayrouz Serhal and produced entirely by Al Jazeera Documentary Channel. This is the first time that a film produced by Al Jazeera Network has participated in the Venice Film Festival. This screening coincides with the 20th anniversary of the death of the famous Lebanese director Maroun Baghdadi, who died suddenly in 1993 after falling down the stairs of his family home. Maroun Baghdadi, one of the most prominent Lebanese filmmakers, left an indelible mark on the world of cinema through his documentary and fictional works that dealt with the Lebanese civil war with boldness and realism. Baghdadi was fascinated by the war that he hated, and through it he presented a unique artistic vision of the events and conflicts that Lebanon experienced during that period.The film "Maroun Returns to Beirut” takes viewers on a journey through Baghdadi’s life and work, exploring the period leading up to the Lebanese civil war and life in the midst of the fighting. The documentary reflects Baghdadi’s great influence on Lebanese and Arab cinema, and reveals his works that are considered rare and important documents that shed light on crucial stages of modern Lebanese history.Through rare archival footage and interviews with figures who were contemporaries of Baghdadi, the film presents a comprehensive picture of the late director and his great contributions to documenting the events of the Lebanese Civil War. In addition, the documentary reviews the personal aspects of Baghdadi’s life, including the challenges and difficulties he faced, and the tragic way his life ended.The screening of the film at the Venice Film Festival was an opportunity for the international audience to learn about Maroun Baghdadi’s legacy and to honour his memory as one of the most important directors in the history of Lebanese and Arab cinema. The film's running time is 125 minutes, and it is in Arabic, French and English.