How Beautiful is the Sea by Sabine El Chamaa (Lebanon, 2003, 10 min, Beta SP) U.S. Premiere

Synopsis:

After an apocalyptic explosion, a woman ventures into the streets and finds herself by the sea. There she meets a man who, much like her, wears a protective uniform. Incapable of sensing nature, or one another, they ponder the possibility of shedding their uniforms.
In Arabic w/English subtitles

Followed by Magic Box

Introductory remarks by H.E. Mr. Hatem Atallah, Ambassador of Tunisia to the United States.  Post-screening panel discussion with filmmakers Ridha Behi and Sabine El Chamaa

Filmmaker’s Bio:

Sabine El Chamaa majored in Communication Arts at Beirut Univeristy College before moving to Los Angeles in 1993 for a Masters in Film at the University of Southern California. She has worked as a freelance editor in Europe and the US since 1997. How Beautiful is the Sea is her third short film.

Festivals and Awards:

• Ne a Beyrouth, Lebanon, 2003
• Sao Paolo International Film Festival, Brazil, 2003
• Cinema Mediteraneen de Montpellier, France, 2003
• Fike International Film Festival, Portugal, 2003
• Incurt Film festival, Tarragona, Spain, 2004,
• Salento International Film Festival, Italy, 2004

Reviews:

A film revealing a memory imprinted with the experience of war. Images, thoughts, and flashes telling an apocalyptic dream. Isn't war, after all, an act of imagination?! The film asks the question: do we need to reach the extremes in order to understand and feel life?
— Rima Mesmar, Al Mostaqbal (Lebanon)

The filmmaker reaches the extreme of personal expression in an apocalyptic vision of a world that is ending, a world where the only way out may rest in love . The strength of this film dwells in its powerful imagery, strong rhythm, and the impeccable design of an apocalyptic mood.
— George Keede, Al Nahar (Lebanon)

Print Source:

Sabine El Chamaa
Email: sabafilms@yahoo.fr