Bab el shams

Jan 19 2005 N/A 4h 38m
Drama, Romance, War

Yousry Nasrallah's powerful adaptation of Lebanese writer Elias Khoury's epic novel of fifty years of Palestinian dispossession, exile, and resistance. The film follows the flight of Younes, his wife Nahila, and those around them, from their village in northern Palestine to a refugee camp in Lebanon. Some vow to continue the struggle, most simply struggle to survive. Unsparingly detailing the impact of the nakba (disaster) on Palestinian life and society and the refugees' often-contentious relationship with their reluctant Lebanese hosts, Gate of the Sun spans generations, mixing personal stories with historical events.

Plot

In the beginning was Palestine, and the story of Younes (Orwa Nyrabia) began, known as Abou Salem, known as the Man, said to be the father of Ibrahim, fighting the English from the age of 16, still fighting, but retrenched in the Lebanon, illegal in his own country ; the story of Nahila (Rim Turki) also began, married to him when she was twelve, breast-feeding their first child, born during the villagers' exhausting trek towards the North, fleeing their burning homes, Nahila whom he met secretly in a cave in Bab El Chams, in Galilee.Again it is the story of Doctor Khalil (Bassel Khayat), abandoned by his mother in the shambles of the refugee camps, who, in Beirut, rescued Younes in a deep coma, lulling him with the tragic story of his people ; and yet again it is that of Chams (Hala Omran) whom Khalil loved and was executed by his companions in arms.Fifty years of history full of suffering, hope and love.

Written by

Elias Khoury, Yousry Nasrallah, Muhammad Suwaid

Directed by

Yousry Nasrallah

Cast

Rim Turki, Orwa Nyrabia, Basel Khayyat

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Egypt, Belgium, France, Morocco, Denmark

Production Companies

MISR International Films, ARTE France Cinéma, Ognon Pictures

Languages

English, Français

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
443
Average Rating
7.8 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA