Film
Warsha
A crane operator working in a construction site in Beirut, finds his freedom when he is away from everyone’s eyes.
Writer/Director Dania Bdeir’sWarsha is set in Lebanon, where construction workers are often underpaid, undocumented and overlooked Syrian immigrants. The film explores the story of a Syrian migrant worker who volunteers to take on one of the tallest and notoriously most dangerous cranes in Lebanon. Away from everyone’s eyes, he is able to live out his secret passion.
This film stars Khansa, a multi-disciplinary artist redefining masculinity in the Middle East.
Recently, Warsha was awarded the Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction at the Sunday International Film Festival.
“What first appears to be an everyday story about man’s quotidian existence set against the drudgery of a hazardous workplace transforms into a stunning, joyful journey of self discovery and self expression,” says Juror Penelope Barlett. “For its combination of jaw dropping aerial cinematography with an intense performance by the lead actor, The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction goes to Warsha by Dania Bdeir.”
The film was also screened at International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
Screenings @ SXSW 2022
- Saturday, 12 March 2022 – Screening @ 11:15 AM CT, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar B
- Sunday, 13 March 2022 – On-line Screening @ 9:00 AM CT
- Wednesday, 16 March 2022 – Screening @ 6:45 PM CT, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar E
Warsha
15 minutes | France, Lebanon | 2021 | Arabic
Directors: Dania Bdeir
Cast: Khansa
Warsha follows Mohammad, a Syrian migrant working as a crane operator in Beirut. One morning he volunteers to take on one of the tallest and notoriously most dangerous cranes in Lebanon. Away from everyone’s eyes, he is able to live out his secret passion and find freedom.