Kicking off its festival tour with a bang, Lebanese director Samah El Kadi’s latest short film BAADARANE — a poignant philosophical exploration of the Druze community and Lebanese social intricacies — has just crossed the finish line at Shorts Mexico, winning Best Short Film following its world premiere in the festival’s International Live Action Competition.
 
A joint production between Lebanon and the US, BAADARANE follows a young boy from Mount Lebanon who grapples with his mother’s sudden death, questioning the foundation of his faith and whether God punishes or saves people. In a series of mischievous challenges spreading anarchy in his tight-knit village, he attempts to hear back from God, yet hears nothing. His growing frustrations turn sinister and violent, as he rejects the religious traditions that once shaped his life.
 
In the absence of God’s response, he realizes the absurdity of the world around him. His rebellion spirals into darkness in this modern spin on the myth of Prometheus through the eyes of an eight-year-old Druze child from Baadarane.
 
Next on the film’s international journey is the Vancouver International Film Festival, where it will hold its Canadian premiere.
 
Written by Nadim Chammas and Samah El Kadi, the film stars Karim Hani, Mounir Malaeb, and Adham Boukaroum. It is lensed by Lluis Ferrer and Marcel Pascual, edited by Gerard Daccache and Nicolas Khoury, with sound design by Tony Khoury. The film is produced by Darine Hotait and Hanna Atala (Cinephilia and Route 243), and supported by Frederic Ephrem at The Filmhouse MENA. MAD World handles worldwide sales and MAD Distribution is in charge of its distribution across the Arab World.
 
Samah El Kadi is a Lebanese director and screenwriter. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, El Kadi has directed several short films and commercial work for clients including Samsung, Tesla, and Vodafone. He was recently part of the International Emmy-nominated series STARDUST, produced by Shahid’s acclaimed 6:07 series. His upcoming projects include the short films GHOSTLAND and BAADARANE, as well as his debut feature THE OLIVE PRESS, currently in development.