The Mountain (La Montagne)
Arab Film Competition
Ghassan Salhab / Feature Narrative / Lebanon, Qatar / 2010 / 85 min / Black & White / HDCAM
In Arabic, English / English, Arabic subtitles
Interests: Avant Garde, Drama, War
World Premiere
Synopsis
A work of shadowy implosion, the stark and largely silent narrative of Lebanese director Ghassan Salhab's fifth film is certain to captivate some audience members and infuriate others. With small nods to classics such as Kubrick's "The Shining" and Antonioni's "The Passenger," this black and white meditation displays masterful lighting and cinematography as it tells the story of a man checking into a distant, desolate hotel. On his journey up to the place there's a sudden detour, a mysterious car crash. Once he settles in to his hotel stay, only the whistling of the wind and the slow decay of a decorative pinecone, interrupt his waiting, until the violent, final scene. Though the entire film's running time is only about 90 minutes, some scenes here seem to linger for hours, while their powerful impact may last even longer.
About the Directors
Ghassan Salhab
Born in Dakar, Senegal to Lebanese parents in 1958, Salhab has previously directed several features, including the war story "Beyrouth Fantôme," the ensemble drama "Terra Incognita" and a vampire thriller," The Last Man." In addition to numerous short films and videos, he has also published stories in various magazines.
Credits
- Director
- Ghassan Salhab
- Screenwriter
- Ghassan Salhab
- Editor
- Michele Tyan
- Music
- Raed El Khazen, Mazzy Star, Richard Skelton
- Cinematographer
- Sarmad Louis
- Cast
- Fadi Abi Samra