Insulte (l’)

English title: The Insult

Genre: social drama

With: Adel Karam (Toni Hanna), Kamel El Basha (Yasser Abdallah Salameh), Rita Hayek (Shirine, Toni’s wife), Christine Choueiri (Manal, Yasser’s wife), Talal Jurdi (Talal, Yasser’s boss), Camille Salameh (Wajdi Wehbe, Toni’s lawyer), Diamand Bou Abboud (Nadine, Yasser’s lawyer), Julia Kassar (Judge Colette Mansour), Rifaat Torbey (Samir Geagea), Carlos Chahine (Judge Chahine), Elie Njeim (Elie, Toni’s employee), Walid Abboud (Television Host), Georges Daoud (Georges Hanna, Toni’s father)

Director: Ziad Doueiri

Screenplay: Ziad Doueiri and Joelle Touma

Release: 2017

Studio: Ezekiel Films, Tessalit Productions, Rouge International et al.

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 8.6/10 

 

‟No one has a monopoly on suffering.” 

 

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Story-line: in a Beirut teeming with political and religious fervour, Toni, a Christian Party supporter, is warned by Yasser, a Palestinian foreman hired by the city, that the drainpipe under his balcony is faulty. When Toni refuses to listen, Yasser asks two of his men to modify the drainpipe and, while they are installing an extension, Toni comes out and breaks it deliberately. Clearly irritated, Yasser answers with an insult. From then on, the disagreement between the two men will take on a life of its own.  

Pluses: convincing acting all around (Kamel El Basha won the Best Actor Prize in Venice for his performance but the whole cast is also deserving), economical, top-notch direction, a twisty and brutal screenplay replete with conflicted characters, virile scenes, strong tension and hard-hitting dialogues, superb cinematography and editing, very fine production values, a serviceable musical score and a powerful ending.

Minuses: although it contains vigorous and even hateful language targeting Palestinians and Lebanese alike, the film serves as an important record of the difficult relations between nations in the Middle East.

Comments: the thought-provoking and important THE INSULT shows how a minor problem can become a devastating crisis if circumstances are volatile enough. Ziad Doueiri’s uncompromising and riveting film doesn’t take sides and lets the chips fall where they may. If you are looking for a gut-wrenching, dynamic film illustrative of our difficult times, this Oscar-nominated entry (for 2018) will reward you handsomely.  

 

MBiS 

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Xiao cheng zhi chun

English title: Spring in a Small Town

Genre: psychological drama (in black and white)

With: Wei Wei* (Zhou Yuwen), Shi Yu (Dai Liyan, her husband), Zhang Hongmei (Xiou or Meimei, Liyan’s young sister), Cui Chaoming (Old Huang, the servant), Li Wei (Zhang Zhichen, the visitor)

Director: Mu Fei

Screenplay: Li Tianji

Release: 1948

Studio: Wenhua Film Studio

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.4/10

  

–Why are you acting like this? Why so angry?

– l don’t know. l can’t help it. l’m a failure. 

 

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Story-line: in a small Chinese town shortly after World War II, Yuwen spends her gruelling, thankless days taking care of her sick and demoralized husband Liyan. She’s afraid of dying, he seems afraid of living. They share a rundown estate with Liyan’s younger sister and a servant. Everything looks bleak… but the unexpected visit of an old friend changes everything for Liyan… and it so happens that Yuwen also knows him well.

Pluses: convincing performances from all cast members, competent and reasoned direction, a thoughtful, well-written screenplay remarkable for its subtle psychological insights and interplay, irreproachable production values in spite of limited means, an appropriate musical score and a poignant final act.

Minuses: the first few minutes may feel slow but they mirror the suffocating world in which Liyan and his family are inescapably trapped.  

Comments: if you choose to watch this film, don’t expect fireworks or loud suspense. The quiet and exquisitely nuanced SPRING IN A SMALL TOWN recounts a pivotal stage in the lives of hopeless people burdened with guilt, health issues and moral imperatives. At times, they exchange only a few words, a look or even a silent gesture… yet you fully understand their yearnings and disappointments. Mu Fei’s very mature work is a milestone in the history of Chinese cinema.

 

MBiS 

© 2025 – All rights reserved 

*Please note that proper names in this review may have been reversed. My apologies to any and all concerned.