A Civilized People 1999
In *A Civilized People* (1999), Lebanese filmmaker Randa Chahal Sabbag crafts a stark, darkly humorous drama that exposes the surreal chaos of Beirut's 1980s urban warfare.
Director: Randa Chahal Sabbag
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Civilized People (1999) about?
This bleak yet darkly comic Lebanese drama follows Bernadette, a naive country girl sent to war-torn Beirut as a maid. There, she navigates the absurd horrors of urban warfare while finding an unlikely guide in Therese, a seasoned survivor. The film blends tragedy and humor to explore how ordinary people endure in impossible conditions.
Who directed A Civilized People?
The film was directed by Randa Chahal Sabbag, a celebrated Lebanese filmmaker known for her provocative storytelling and unflinching portrayals of conflict.
Who stars in A Civilized People?
The cast includes Jalila Baccar, Tamim Chahal, Myrna Maakaron, Carmen Lebbos, Sotigui Kouyaté, and Renée Dick, with Nada Ghosn in the lead role of Bernadette.
Is A Civilized People (1999) worth watching?
While the film isn't rated on IMDb, its raw storytelling and genre-blending approach make it a compelling watch for fans of dramatic, thought-provoking cinema. The juxtaposition of war's brutality with moments of dark humor creates a unique and memorable viewing experience.
How long is A Civilized People?
The film has a runtime of 97 minutes.
About A Civilized People (1999) — Beirut's War Through the Eyes of Two Women
In *A Civilized People* (1999), Lebanese filmmaker Randa Chahal Sabbag crafts a stark, darkly humorous drama that exposes the surreal chaos of Beirut's 1980s urban warfare. The film opens with a jarring scene—kittens torn apart by violence—setting the tone for a story that blends tragedy with absurdity. At its heart is Bernadette (Nada Ghosn), a sheltered young woman from the countryside sent to work as a maid in a half-abandoned mansion, where she finds an unlikely mentor in Therese (Renée Dick), a hardened veteran of the city's struggles. Their journey unfolds against a backdrop of war's brutality, revealing how ordinary lives are upended by forces beyond their control. Sabbag's sharp direction merges the genres of drama and comedy, creating a biting satire of a society clinging to civility amid collapse.
With a runtime of 97 minutes, *A Civilized People* balances raw emotion with moments of dark levity, capturing the resilience and absurdity of human existence in extraordinary circumstances. The film's vivid characters and unflinching portrayal of conflict make it a standout in Lebanese cinema, offering a poignant yet unsentimental look at survival in a broken world.