Manara

Manara tells the story of a Lebanese family navigating the loss of their father, who killed himself. As the family grapples with how their community will think about his death and invent lies and role plays about it, their psyches and familial bonds begin to untangle, the matriarch insisting on maintaining the facade that the father merely drowned. The film perfectly depicts the rippling effects of a society that fails to understand or have the vocabulary to talk about mental health.

Alexander's directing, characterized by subtle close ups on representations of the three character's grief is marvelous. The script, by Seigneurie, is engaging and concise. Safieddine's acting is exceptional. The cinematography, lighting, and production design are particularly strong.

Truly a must watch that sheds light on Lebanese society.