Moondove
Spring Grants 2024 - Post-Production Stage
Karim Kassem / Feature Documentary / Lebanon, Netherlands, Qatar / 2024 / 120 min / Colour
Synopsis
Three stories in the mountains of Lebanon metaphysically converge to illustrate stories of memory, loss and love. A remote village faces an uncertain future—their harvest is over, but a relentless drought threatens both the land and their very way of life. As the community prepares for its annual play—this year the almost prognostically titled ‘Departures‘—the performance takes on a deeper meaning—reflecting their fears of change, loss, and the possibility of leaving behind all they have ever known. The film’s cast, composed primarily of non-professional actors from the village—a remarkable feat achieved by “knocking on over 100 doors“—adds a vivid authenticity, allowing the audience to step deeper into their precarious world.
Water, or its absence, becomes a powerful analogy for scarcity, loss, and fragility in life. The drought not only threatens the villagers’ physical survival but also unsettles their emotional and spiritual well-being. The annual play mirrors these growing anxieties while symbolising the potential for renewal—an opportunity to embrace change, even as it carries the pain of leaving the past behind. At its heart, the film is a reflection on resilience, tradition, and the delicate balance between staying and moving on. Despite their hardships, the villagers find strength in their shared customs and communal spirit. ‘Moondove’ empathetically captures the tenuity of a fading way of life, while honouring the quiet strength of those determined to preserve it.
Credits
- Director
- Karim Kassem
- Screenwriter
- Karim Kassem, Nadia Hassan
- Producer
- Karim Kassem
- Production Company
- Screen Productions
About the Director
Karim Kassem is an award-winning Lebanese director and cinematographer. Over the past five years, he has directed 'Only the Winds' (2020), 'Octopus' (2021), 'Thiiird' (2023) and now 'Moondove' (2024), each of which has garnered acclaim on the international festival circuit. Currently developing his fifth feature, 'Before Now, Later' (2025), Kassem continues to establish himself as a distinctive voice in contemporary Middle Eastern cinema.
Contacts
-
Main Contact
Karim Kassem
- Company:
- Screen Productions | Presenting 'Moondove'
- Email:
- kassem.karim6@gmail.com