Maroun Bagdadi (also Baghdadi; Arabic: مارون بغدادي, mārūn baġdādi; January 21, 1950 – December 10, 1993) was a Lebanese film director known for his vivid portrayal of Lebanon's civil war. Bagdadi was internationally the best-known Lebanese filmmaker of his generation. He worked with American producer/director Francis Coppola and made several films in French that became hits in France.[1]
Maroun Bagdadi | |
|---|---|
 Maroun Bagdadi | |
| Born | January 21, 1950 |
| Died | December 10, 1993 (aged 43) |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Spouse | Soraya Khoury |
| Children | 3 |
Career
editMaroun Bagdadi was arguably Lebanon's most prominent filmmaker, one whose work has been seen all over the world. One of his best-known films, Houroub Saghira (Little Wars), was shown at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, drawing this comment from a prominent film critic: "To make a film about Beirut that eschews polemics for more universal, more human issues is an achievement." His first Lebanese production was for television, an educational program called 7½. In 1975, he directed his first feature film, Beyrouth Ya Beyrouth. Koullouna Lil Watan, a 75-minute documentary produced in 1979, won the Jury Honor Prize at the International Leipzig Festival Documentary and Animated Film.[2]
Bagdadi died on December 10, 1993, aged 43, allegedly after an accidental fall down an elevator shaft at his home in Beirut.[3] He is survived by his wife and favorite actress, Soraya, a daughter of former defense minister Victor Khoury[4] whose acting career continues as of 2017,[5] and their three children.
Filmography
edit- La Fille de l'air (1992)
- Out of Life (1991)
- Lebanon, the Land of Honey and Incense (1988)
- The Veiled Man (1987)
- Little Wars (1982)
- Whispers (1980)
- The Procession (1980)
- We Are All for the Fatherland (1979)
- The Story of a Village and a War (1979)
- The Martyr (1979)
- Ninety (1978)
- The Most Beautiful of All Mothers (1978)
- Greetings to Kamal Jumblat (1977)
- The South Is Fine, How About You (1976)
- The Majority Is Standing Strong (1976)
- Kafarkala (1976)
- Beirut Oh Beirut (1975)
Awards
edit- Jury Prize at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival for Out of Life (Hors La Vie)[6]
- Jury Honor Prize at the International Leipzig Festival Documentary and Animated Film for Koullouna Lil Watan[2]
References
edit- ^ Variety Magazine
- ^ a b "Today's Outlook Magazine". Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ "Movie Director Maroun Baghdadi Dies In Fall". Associated Press. 1993-12-11.
- ^ Henoud, Carla. "Les petites guerres de Souraya Baghdadi". L'Orient-Le Jour (Interview).
- ^ Nasr, Nahed. "INTERVIEW - Souraya Baghdadi on late Lebanese director Maroun Baghdadi: A free man with a critical mind". Al-Ahram (Interview).
- ^ "Festival de Cannes: Out of Life". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-08-09.