Héritages

Came across this movie on netflix. This film dissects a transgenerational problem that, by now, has become a defining factor of eastern mediterranean/ levantine identities: Displacement and its effect on identity. Not only is the theme very relevant to the Lebanon of today, but also the manner with which it treats the topic. To be genuine, eager to discover the past, and full of energy to learn and rebuild the country we dream of!

It is with an ultimate honesty and beauty, that Aractangi delivered the roots of his repetitive expatriation along with an exquisite and objective description of historical Lebanese events. Heritages touches the soul in an unique way, out of the box script, that I definitely recommend.

Heritages is an amazing work of art. It embodies all the emotions, exciting and painful, that accompany every Lebanese leaving his country. This work made me tear up and laugh many times during the movie. While I may not be the best judge of cinematic techniques, it is definitely a movie that speaks to all hearts, especially those that left their country. Philip Araktingi made me think about going back to live in Lebanon. He reignited the belief in the Lebanese people and country as one day making it in the world. It reached to every aspect of a Lebanese life throughout its life stages: childhood through adulthood. It speaks to all of us. It is highly recommended if you are Lebanese and like the fact that you are Lebanese.

First of all, if you have not lived through the civil war, tasted its wrath and experienced so much of what the director presents and describes throughout the movie, you are in no position to rate it. Everything portrayed is accurate and quite moving, transporting you back to the best years of our lives. Yes, we lived in the war, we struggled, we fought, we persevered and then we showed our kids what it was like to be born and raised in the most beautiful country on earth. The views, the brief historical scenes, the narration will bring you tears, laughter, smiles and a immense feeling of pride. It is produced with taste, it is real and truly touching. Thank you Philippe and family for keeping our heritage alive.

This "film" is weighed down by an unremarkable premise, a poor structure, cheap green screen sequences, and overall amateur directing -- it's shocking to me that this director has managed to finance his films given the lack of relevance to a contemporary Lebanese or worldwide audience. Mimics the countless Lebanese student films that are made every year, but ultimately results in self-indulgent, schmaltzy storytelling that lacks any soul or sheds light on anything new. A hackneyed approach to low-quality "documentary" films that earn Arab cinema its unfortunate reputation.

If you're interested in how one bourgeois Turkish family ended up in Lebanon, then France, perhaps you'll find it a little interesting. However, considering the tens of millions of Lebanese who have left their homeland, there is absolutely nothing interesting, engaging, or film-worthy about this particular film. There are incredible stories to tell. This simply isn't one of them.