One of the biggest distributors in the Middle East and North Africa, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, is set to roll out a potentially volatile documentary titled ENOUGH! Lebanon’s Darkest Hour throughout the MENA region.

An explosive commentary on the socio-political climate of Lebanon, the film is directed by Daizy Gedeon who has previously helmed other documentaries like Lebanon…Imprisoned Splendour.

In an interview, Gedeon reflected on her decision to become a filmmaker: "There was no real decision. It was just a choice of expression and a medium to tell stories. I believe that whilst I loved writing and was primarily a newspaper journalist, I always visualised the stories I was writing and could see them.

"When I decided to make my first documentary, it didn’t seem too far-fetched for me, and I believe that more people would get to see a documentary then would read an article. I would have a greater platform to tell my story because it was so diverse."

Adding, "I travelled to Lebanon for the very first time since my family left in 1970. That two-week trip to Lebanon ended up being six weeks which opened my eyes to the world of international politics and wars. Lebanon had been enduring a Civil War since 1975.

"Its reputation globally had sunk from the glory days in the ’50s and ’60s," continued the director, "as the Paris of the Middle East and the Pearl of the region, to being the haven of terrorists, kidnappers, a meeting place for espionage agents, and the centre of all that was rotten and beautiful in the world."

Although Front Row has submitted the documentary to the censor board in Lebanon, it does not expect the controversial project to be approved. The documentary focuses on the rampant corruption and government mismanagement that led to the huge blast in a port in Beirut and caused the deaths of more than 200 people.

Gedeon said: "It was very difficult to make such a controversial film and to get people to speak openly about the real causes, from the ongoing desecration of the country to the economy, the infrastructure, institutions, basic services and needs of the people. All that pushed me further to ensure that I depicted the most accurate story without holding back or going too far, so as not to be considered propaganda."

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