Do we ever really know why we fall in love? Or is it just some unexplainable feeling that occurs within us? Sometimes we find that one person and connect with them right away. Telling them our deepest secrets feels easy, it feels welcome. It is almost inhuman when it happens. But when it does, it allows us to be our true selves to someone we have only just met.
A love story to a country at war, and the couple that bring this love to life. Director Danielle Arbid returns to Berlinale with her latest feature, Only Rebels Win. This daring feature is a love letter to Beirut, Lebanon, and a stand against racism and improper treatment of others. There is no peace in the world until people accept each other for who they are and who they love. It will never be this simple no matter what. But in an effort to share the importance of acceptance, Arbid’s film shares the path two people take towards trying to make a change.
On the streets of Beirut, Suzanne (Hiam Abbass) saves young Osmane (Amine Benrachid) from a racist driven attack. This one small gesture brings the two down an unexpected path. As a Sudanese man without papers, Osmane searches for a better future; while as a widow more than twice, Suzanne’s roots are Palestinian. After one meeting, the two begin to spend more time together leading to feelings developing. Their love may persist but the backdrop of a fractured Lebanon has their relationship provoking anger and ignorance around them. Perhaps more strongly ignored is Suzanne as her family refuse to talk to her, colleagues reject her and priests will not marry them. As Suzanne and Osmane try to resist, the people around them persist in hostile attempts to break them up.
Amid the Israeli bombings that terrorized Lebanon, Arbid wished to have Only Rebels Win filmed in the city it takes place. But, in her honest endeavour, she instead chose to shoot safely in France and inform the audience of her intentions. Only Rebels Win might have been shot in France, but the filmmaking team make it highly evident that they wanted the film to be seen as a love letter to the country. Complete honesty and transparency from the beginning that is carried throughout the film.
In her script, Arbid chose to showcase the power of love in a war ridden country. As times are dark, the power that can come from two people is immense. The strength shown to the audience through the continued love and development between Suzanne and Osmane is used as a subtle reminder. Of course in the time span of 98-minutes there is only so much time to show the relationship building between the two, so it may feel quite sudden. But this also adds to the reality of their situation. As a viewer, if you truly think about it, there are times in life where the right person can make themselves known to you and everything changes.
Arbid reminds her audience that the country changes for the worse. Though they may continuously be falling in love, the world around them is falling further apart. Osmane still requires the correct papers to remain in the country and Suzanne will stop at nothing to find them for him. But when the problem of marriage arises, the truth stares at them right in the face. No one will approve of their love. Not only are they decades apart in age, the racism is evident. As the city falls deeper into its war, its citizens cannot feel the power and strength that love brings. Suzanne and Osmane are the ideal example of this. The love they have developed in this short period of time has helped them push through the chaos around them. But this chaos might just be too much for them to handle.
The setting of Only Rebels Win might be the gorgeous albeit dangerous backdrop of Beirut, Lebanon, but it is in the performances that true emotion is evoked in the viewer. Through their chemistry, Abbass and Benrachid take the audience on a journey. Past years of experience comes through in Abbass’ portrayal of a Palestinian widow. Her talent wraps the audience in the sadness and love. Then with Benrachid, the innocence and fear Osmane presents comes not only from his skills, but the fact that he has only been acting for a few years. Either way, their combined power bring the characters to life in an unimaginable way.
Only Rebels Win is ultimately there to remind the viewer of the daily struggles faced. As Arbid has created a tender love story between two opposing people, she has also projected her love for Lebanon as well. Quiet and soft, as a viewer you feel many different emotions and are forced to reflect a lot in such a short period of time.
In the 76th edition of the Berlin Film Festival, Only Rebels Win screens as part of their Panorama program. On the opening night of the festival, Only Rebels Win had its world premiere at the Zoo Palast in Berlin. A beautiful portrayal of love’s attempts to conquer hate in a country sieged by it.
