Image credits - The Hollywood Reporter
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Lebanese director Raed Rafei’s latest documentary, Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities, is making waves in the film world with its powerful exploration of identity, culture, and personal reconciliation. The film is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in the Frontlight section, which runs from November 14-24, 2024. As anticipation builds for the premiere, The Hollywood Reporter is offering the first official trailer for the documentary, which promises a thought-provoking look at a city in crisis, through the eyes of a director returning home to confront a painful past.
A journey back to a divided hometown
Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities takes Rafei back to his hometown of Tripoli, Lebanon—a city that once rejected him, especially due to his queer identity. As a filmmaker, Rafei has always used his work as a platform to explore themes of personal and societal conflict. In this documentary, he sets out to explore how Tripoli, a city deeply entrenched in both cultural conservatism and recent socio-political upheaval, is facing a moment of profound transition.
The film captures Rafei’s personal confrontation with his hometown, as he seeks to understand the complex dynamics that have shaped the city, its residents, and his own past. Through interviews with the city’s inhabitants, the film delves into Tripoli’s evolving cultural and social beliefs, particularly as they grapple with new ideas and changing times.
A city in crisis
In a narrative that juxtaposes Rafei’s own experiences with those of the people around him, Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities paints a vivid portrait of a city caught in a web of socio-political stagnation. Lebanon is currently facing a severe economic crisis, and the film captures the palpable tension and uncertainty that permeates everyday life in Tripoli. With Lebanon still reeling from a faltering revolution and a future that feels uncertain at best, Rafei weaves a cinematic tapestry that shows how personal and collective struggles often intersect.
The trailer reveals stunning visuals of Tripoli, a city marked by both ancient beauty and the scars of modern strife. Amidst economic despair and political turmoil, Rafei’s lens offers a meditative exploration of how Tripoli’s residents—many of whom face daily hardship—are attempting to find hope, redefine their identities, and envision a new future for themselves and their city.
An intimate and powerful documentary
The trailer for Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities offers only a glimpse of the intimate and moving interviews that punctuate the film. Rafei’s engagement with his subjects is personal and deeply empathetic, showcasing a range of voices—some skeptical, others hopeful—on what it means to survive and thrive in Tripoli in this moment of crisis.
In his directorial approach, Rafei invites the audience into a world where the lines between public and private, personal and political, are often blurred. By capturing the complex emotions of a community in flux, the film highlights the resilience of the people who live in a city that, much like Lebanon itself, is still searching for its identity in the face of overwhelming challenges.
The Global Premiere at IDFA
With its premiere at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) from November 14-24, 2024 , Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities is already generating significant attention on the international film circuit. The documentary represents a vital opportunity to amplify voices from Lebanon—particularly those of queer individuals who are often marginalized and silenced in such conservative environments. As Rafei continues to push boundaries with his work, this film promises to offer a bold and necessary contribution to global discourse around identity, social change, and the pursuit of personal truth.
Rafei’s return to Tripoli will no doubt resonate with audiences around the world, making this documentary one of the most anticipated of 2024.