“Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou?” Screening in Sydney

For lovers of Ziad Rahbani and classic Lebanese theatre, we present “Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou?” If you grew up listening to the tapes, now you can watch the play. If you’ve never heard of it or Ziad, then you need to come see this iconic Lebanese story on film for the first time since 1978. A very special piece of Lebanese history, theatre and cinema!

Performed in 1978 over eight months, Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou? takes place in a bar in the trendy Hamra district, hosting a variety of people such as poets, reporters, businessmen and foreigners.

Zakaria (Ziad Rahbani) and his wife Thuraya (Nabila Zeitouni) have moved to Beirut from a rural village and work together at the bar to provide for their family and improve their social status. But as the couple’s ambitions are thwarted by the high cost of living, Thuraya also takes on (with Zakaria’s consent) remunerated escapades with customers to supplement their insufficient salaries and get out of their constrained financial situation.

A comedic tour de force Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou? has been sensitively recreated with substantial restoration of original Super 8 film footage shot over 35 years ago. The film retains the iconic music and cult-classic songs performed by the talented late Joseph Sakr, including Ismaa Ya Rida (Listen, Oh Rida), Oghniyat Al Bosta (The Bus Song) and Aayshi Wahda Balak (She is Doing Fine Without You).