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In Mother Valley, Carlos Chahine delivers a nuanced portrait of Lebanon in 1958, capturing with finesse a woman’s quest for freedom in a changing world. This Franco-Lebanese film skillfully blends historical drama with intimate exploration, establishing itself as a major work in the cinematic landscape of 2023.
Carlos Chahine’s direction in Mother Valley offers a nuanced exploration of Lebanese society on the brink of profound change. Through a story centered on three sisters from the Christian elite during the summer of 1958—a period marked by political and social tensions — the film immerses viewers in a charged historical context while offering an intimate study of family and personal dynamics. This first feature film by Chahine, enriched by his diverse background as an actor and director, demonstrates remarkable artistic maturity, far removed from the usual hesitations of debut works.
The film stands out as a fascinating cinematic work that captivates with the richness of its content and the beauty of its landscapes. The narrative is deeply rooted in the sacred Qadisha Valley, captured with grace and majesty that enchant the viewer. The landscapes in the film are not mere backdrops; they form the beating heart of the narrative, imbuing each scene with natural beauty and visual poetry that reinforce the film’s message.
Set against the backdrop of Lebanon in 1958, shaken by a political crisis, the film revolves around Layla, beautifully portrayed by Marilyne Naaman, who, trapped in an arranged marriage, yearns for her own freedom and identity. Her encounter with a young French doctor and his mother, played by the charismatic Nathalie Baye, introduces a striking contrast between oppressive social conventions and the possibilities of emancipation.
The subtlety with which Chahine navigates these tensions reveals a deep understanding of human and societal complexities. The plot, while set in a specific historical framework, addresses timeless themes such as love, autonomy and the fight against oppressive norms, making the film as relevant today as in the era in which it is set. The cinematography, of exceptional quality, offers a total immersion in an idealized, magnified Lebanon, where nature itself becomes a central character, witnessing the human dramas unfolding within it.
Chahine’s direction is characterized by elegance and restraint that amplify the emotional impact of the story. The musical accompaniment by Antonin Tardy, blending piano and cello, enriches each scene with an additional layer of sensitivity, highlighting the contrast between the melancholy of the characters’ situations and the hope of an outcome.
The performances of Naaman and Baye are particularly noteworthy, bringing authenticity and depth to their characters. Their ability to express complex emotions without words illustrates the strength of cinema as a visual and auditory medium, capable of conveying ideas and feelings with a power that words alone cannot match.
Special mention is given to the exceptional performance of the young Antoine Merheb Harb, centered on his expressive gaze, which brilliantly captures the complexity of the emotions of a child confronted with his mother’s distance, turning a simple request for a glass of water into a distress call.
Mother Valley is to be commended for its finesse in exploring universal dilemmas, rooted in a specifically Lebanese context but resonating well beyond its borders. With this first feature film, Chahine asserts himself as a director with a unique and necessary voice, capable of weaving together the threads of the intimate and the political with remarkable skill.
Contrary to some critics who might perceive Mother Valley as detached or avoiding political questions, the film proves to be an exploration grounded in the realities of Lebanon at the time, while offering a universal view of personal quests for identity, freedom and love. Mother Valley is a window to a bygone era, yet strangely familiar.
Awarded several prestigious prizes, this film is a declaration of love to a Lebanon that is both real and mystified, where every frame of valleys, mountains and skies seems to tell a story. Chahine succeeds in making Lebanon’s natural beauty not just a setting for his narrative, but also a central actor in the storytelling, making Mother Valley a must-see work of contemporary cinema.
The film is currently playing in Lebanese cinemas.
