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Following its premiere in France in June 2023, Mother Valley, directed by Carlos Chahine, is set to grace Lebanese cinemas starting February 17, 2024. The film boasts an illustrious cast of French and Lebanese actors, including Nathalie Baye, Marilyne Naaman, Antoine Merheb Harb, Pierre Rochefort, Talal Jurdi, Ahmad Kaabour, Christine Choueiri, Joy Hallak and Rubis Ramadan.
Set against the backdrop of Lebanon in 1958, Mother Valley delves into the lives of three sisters from the Christian upper class who are vacationing in the Lebanese mountains. The village’s tranquility is disrupted by the distant rumblings of a revolution in Beirut and the arrival of two French holidaymakers. However, the most profound upheaval comes from within the family itself.
The film serves as an invitation to explore not only the stunning natural landscapes of Lebanon but also the resilient spirit of its people. Carlos Chahine’s key narrative revolves around women who embody reflections of a fragmented society and country. They maintain appearances while subtly revealing their vulnerabilities and dreams… Will they defy their fate?
For the director, “Screening the film in Lebanon marks the true culmination of years of effort. Although I reside in France, this film was conceived and created for the Lebanese audience, with whom I share a common past and history.” He also expressed uncertainty regarding Lebanese women’s identification with the film’s three sisters, “It is challenging for me to predict whether Lebanese women will identify with the three sisters in my film. Each will react based on her own experiences and what she is permitted to think or dream for herself. The weight of tradition remains heavy, despite everything.” Regarding his approach to female psychology in actor direction, he stated, “To delve into female psychology, I simply had to observe closely to capture the surrender and talent of the exceptional actresses I had the privilege of working with. I would particularly like to mention Marilyne Naaman, who portrayed the complex character of the heroine with deep authenticity.”
The actors and actresses shared their cinematic experiences. Talal Jurdi viewed his involvement not as a challenge but as an exploration, frequently stating, “It’s not about challenging; it’s about a new experience or adventure that all contribute to my development as an actor working with a new director, a different kind of script in terms of story, dialogue and character. I’m looking forward to seeing the film as I have not seen it yet…” Actress Christine Choueiri threw herself wholeheartedly into the venture, “The decision was easy, honestly, with such a beautiful story, an outstanding cast, and the desire to work with Carlos Chahine, a very sensitive director. Filming was a wonderful memory as we shot in beautiful regions and locations with a professional production team and an atmosphere of friendship and joviality, all while being very rigorous in our work.” Rubis Ramadan attested, “The rebellious nature of Nada, who is deeply committed to justice and equality, is the quintessential point that connects her to my personality. Nada does not hesitate for a moment to raise her voice and disobey anything with which she disagrees. Nada, as written by Carlos, resembled me so closely that I found no difficulty in portraying her. It could have been me in that era; I would have made the same decisions she did.” Marilyne Naaman remarked, “More than a year later, what remains with me from Layla is her courage within her society; making a decision… regardless of whether people appreciate her decision or not. She was able to change her own reality. Most importantly, she was able to say ‘no.’ It’s a battle she fought on my behalf, and on behalf of all women, including myself… who hesitate so much before being able to say no.” Addressing women, she affirmed, “You are beautiful, you are strong. Maintain your courage and will to change things.”
Instagram: @mariechristine.tayah
