MENA Up-Close: Biographies of the Middle East and North Africa

Biographies and personal stories
A MENA series organised by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Screenings followed by a panel discussion
Location: Kino in der Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin

tickets: www.cinestar.de

Moving to Beirut’s anarchic rhythm, “Underdown” follows the struggles of a Palestinian cab driver who lives in his car, a homeless Syrian child and a Lebanese woman with her family. Through a pulsating journey filled with harsh realities and an unbreakable sense of humour, they convey glimmers of hope in the darkest of places.

Awards: Best Documentary, Jerusalem Arab Film Festival (2021) / Grand Prix, Mediterranean Film Festival (2020) / Jury Award, Malmo Arab Film Festival (2019)

Genre: Documentary / Original Version:  Arabic with English subtitles / Length:  72 min / Script:  Sarah Kaskas / Cinematography: Joe Saade / Editing: Sarah Kaskas, Simone El Habre / Sound Editing & Design: Jawad Chaaban (One Hetz Studios) / Re-recording Mixer: Florent Lavallee (DB Studios) / Producer:  Liliane Rahal / Co-Producers: Ines Meier

Discussion in English with

• Ines Meier, Co-Producer  and
• Aline Gemayel, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Beirut,

moderated by Kristin Helberg, journalist