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'''Randa Chahal Sabag''' (also written '''Sabbag''' or '''Sabbagh'''), (born 11 December 1953, in [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]], [[Lebanon]]; died 25 August 2008 in [[Paris]], [[France]]), was a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] film director, producer and screen-writer born to an [[Iraqi people|Iraqi]] mother and [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] father.<ref>[http://www.idahofilmfestival.com/2008festival/2008films/thekite.htm THE KITE (Le Cerf-Volant): Directed by Randa Chahal Sabbag]</ref>
'''Randa Chahal Sabbagh''' ([[Arabic]]: رندا شهال صباغ) was a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] film director, producer and screenwriter. Chahal was born December 11, 1953, in [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]], [[Lebanon]] to an [[Iraqi people|Iraqi]] mother and a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] father.<ref>[http://www.idahofilmfestival.com/2008festival/2008films/thekite.htm THE KITE (Le Cerf-Volant): Directed by Randa Chahal Sabbagh]</ref> She died of cancer August 25, 2008, in [[Paris]], [[France]] (at age 54).<ref name="dailystar082008">"Award-winning filmmaker Randa Chahal Sabbagh passes away in Paris" by Jim Quilty. The Daily Star newspaper, Wednesday, August 27, 2008</ref>

She died from cancer at the age of 54.<ref name="dailystar082008">"Award-winning filmmaker Randa Chahal Sabag passes away in Paris" by Jim Quilty. The Daily Star newspaper, Wednesday, August 27, 2008</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
*[[National Order of the Cedar]] (Officer), national decoration, [[Lebanon]], 2003
*[[National Order of the Cedar]] (Officer), national decoration, [[Lebanon]], 2003
*[[Nestor Almendros]] Prize, [[New York]], 2000
*[[Nestor Almendros]] Prize, [[New York City]], 2000


(See below for individual film awards and nominations)
(See below for individual film awards and nominations)


==Themes==
==Career==
Sabag began her career with documentary films but shifted to feature films by the 1990s, though she retained ‘a documentary-maker's nose for contentious subject matter’.<ref name="dailystar082008"/> She is reported to have said,“You discover in my films a common denominator. You notice that the camera only moves from right to left exactly like Arabic writing.”<ref name="nowextra092008">"Randa Chahhal": NOW Extra remembers the life and work of the great Lebanese filmmaker. By Louisa Ajami, NOW Staff, September 1, 2008 [http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=57121 Randa Chahal]</ref>
Chahal began her career with documentary films but shifted to feature films by the 1990s, though she retained 'a documentary-maker's nose for contentious subject matter'.<ref name="dailystar082008"/> She is reported to have said, "You discover in my films a common denominator. You notice that the camera only moves from right to left exactly like Arabic writing."<ref name="nowextra092008">"Randa Chahal": NOW Extra remembers the life and work of the great Lebanese filmmaker. By Louisa Ajami, NOW Staff, September 1, 2008 [http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=57121 Randa Chahal]</ref>

Chahal served as a jury member at the [[64th Venice International Film Festival|Venice 64th International Film Festival]] in the Opera Prima section.


'''''Les Infidèles''''', a 1997 drama, is about the relationship between a French diplomat and a former Islamist who agrees to turn over the names of his colleagues if the French government will release an imprisoned friend.
''Les Infidèles'', a 1997 drama, is about the relationship between a French diplomat and a former Islamist who agrees to turn over the names of his colleagues if the French government will release an imprisoned friend.<ref>{{Citation|title=Les infidèles (TV Movie 1997) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123116/plotsummary|access-date=2021-05-25}}</ref>


'''''Civilisées''''' (A Civilized People) released in 1999, is a black comedy about the [[Lebanese Civil War]], which killed at least 100,000 people.<ref>Lebanese Filmmaker: Randa Chahal Sabbag by Mai Hoang, World Press Review, March 2004 issue (VOL. 51, No. 3) [http://www.worldpress.org/Mideast/1803.cfm Lebanese Filmaker: Randa Chahal Sabbag]</ref> Sabag deployed a ‘vaudevillian cast’<ref name="dailystar082008"/> including foreign servants and philanthropists, visiting expatriates, militiamen and criminals - in a profane and disunified story mixing elements of absurdist plays. Some 40 minutes of the film was censored for its ‘obscenity’ and ‘uncomplimentary representation of Lebanon during this particularly unsavory spell of its history’.<ref name="dailystar082008"/><ref name="nowextra092008"/> It was subsequently screened only once, at the '''Beirut International Film Festival'''.
''Civilisées'' (A Civilized People) released in 1999, is a black comedy about the [[Lebanese Civil War]], which killed at least 100,000 people.<ref>Lebanese Filmmaker: Randa Chahal Sabbagh by Mai Hoang, World Press Review, March 2004 issue (VOL. 51, No. 3) [http://www.worldpress.org/Mideast/1803.cfm Lebanese Filmmaker: Randa Chahal Sabbagh]</ref> Sabbagh deployed a 'vaudevillian cast'<ref name="dailystar082008"/> including foreign servants and philanthropists, visiting expatriates, militiamen and criminals – in a profane and dis-unified story mixing elements of absurdist plays. Some 40 minutes of the film was censored for its 'obscenity' and 'uncomplimentary representation of Lebanon during this particularly unsavory spell of its history'.<ref name="dailystar082008"/><ref name="nowextra092008"/> It was subsequently screened only once, at the [https://www.beirutfilmfestival.org/ Beirut International Film Festival].


Sabag became noted in 2003 with '''''[[The Kite (2003 film)|The Kite]]''''', which received the [[Silver Lion]] at the 2003 [[Venice Film Festival]] and won several prestigious prizes and international acclaim; the Grand Special Jury Prize, the Cinema for Peace Award and the Laterna Magica Prize. Set in a low-key South [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] village, the film is about love, life, death and the absurdity of the [[Israeli occupation]], seen from the perspective of a [[Druze]] family separated following the division of their village into two with one half annexed to [[Israel]]. The story evolves around an arranged marriage between Lamia, a 16-year-old Lebanese [[Druze]] girl, (played by Flavia Bechara) and her [[Israelis|Israeli]] [[Druze]] cousin (played by Maher Bsaibes). The drama unfolds under the vigilant yet impotent [[Israeli-Lebanese]] border guards; one of whom is played by renowned Lebanese composer, actor and playwright [[Ziad Rahbani]]. The Kite is used ‘as a metaphor for love and for life at the border’, it explores, with depth and sometimes humor, 'the meaning of brides, of the hope they represent for divided families and, sometimes, for divided nations'.<ref>Film Journal International 2004</ref><ref>A critique of 'The Syrian Bride' (Eran Riklis) with a praise to "The Kite", by Maria Garcia, Film Journal International, Sept. 2008</ref>
Chahal became noted in 2003 with ''[[The Kite (2003 film)|The Kite]]'', which received the [[Silver Lion]] at the 2003 [[Venice Film Festival]] and won several prestigious prizes and international acclaim; the Grand Special Jury Prize, the Cinema for Peace Award and the Laterna Magica Prize.{{Citation needed|date= May 2018}} Set in a low-key South [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] village, the film is about love, life, death and the absurdity of the [[Israeli occupation]], seen from the perspective of a [[Druze]] family separated following the division of their village into two with one half annexed to [[Israel]]. The story evolves around an arranged marriage between Lamia, a 16-year-old Lebanese Druze girl, (played by Flavia Bechara) and her [[Israelis|Israeli]] [[Druze]] cousin (played by Maher Bsaibes). The drama unfolds under the vigilant yet impotent [[Israeli-Lebanese]] border guards; one of whom is played by renowned Lebanese composer, actor and playwright [[Ziad Rahbani]]. The Kite is used 'as a metaphor for love and for life at the border', it explores, with depth and sometimes humor, 'the meaning of brides, of the hope they represent for divided families and, sometimes, for divided nations'.<ref>Film Journal International 2004</ref><ref>A critique of 'The Syrian Bride' (Eran Riklis) with a praise to "The Kite", by Maria Garcia, Film Journal International, Sept. 2008</ref>


In 2005, Sabag started a new project with the distinguished [[Lebanese-American]] [[Hollywood]] film-producer [[Elie Samaha]]. With the working title '''''Too Bad for Them''''', the film is expected to combine comedy, music, dancing as well as politics, and North-South socio-economic disparities. However, the film was unreleased at the time of her death.
In 2005, Chahal started a new project with the distinguished [[Lebanese-American]] [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] film-producer [[Elie Samaha]] with the working title ''Too Bad for Them''. The film was expected to combine comedy, music, dancing as well as politics, and North-South socio-economic disparities. However, the film was unreleased at the time of her death.{{Citation needed|date= May 2018}}


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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|
|
*Feature, 78 minutes
*Feature, 78 minutes
*[[Global Lens]] ([[Global Film Initiative]]), [[New York]], 2008
*[[Global Lens]] ([[Global Film Initiative]]), [[New York City]], 2008
*Prix de la bande Sonore, [[Bastia]], 2004
*Prix de la bande Sonore, [[Bastia]], 2004
*Prix de TV5, [[Belgium]], 2004
*Prix de TV5, [[Belgium]], 2004
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|
|
*Feature, 97 minutes
*Feature, 97 minutes
*[[Nestor Almendros]] Prize, [[New York]], 2000
*[[Nestor Almendros]] Prize, [[New York City]], 2000
*Official selection, [[Venice Film Festival]], 1999
*Official selection, [[Venice Film Festival]], 1999
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|1991
|1991
|'''''Ecrans de Sable''''' (''Screens of Sand'')
|'''''[[Ecrans de Sable]]''''' (''Screens of Sand'')
|
|
*Feature, 90 minutes
*Feature, 90 minutes
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==References==
==References==
*{{imdb name|0754475}}
*{{IMDb name|0754475}}
* [http://randachahal.com/english/home.php Randa Chahal] Website about Randa Chahal
* [https://archive.today/20080929033549/http://randachahal.com/english/home.php Randa Chahal] Website about Randa Chahal


{{Authority control|VIAF=27272829}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Sabag, Randa Chahal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sabbag, Randa Chahal}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Chahal, Randa
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Lebanese film director
| DATE OF BIRTH = 11 December 1953
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Tripoli, Lebanon]]
| DATE OF DEATH = 25 August 2008
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Paris]], [[France]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sabag, Randa Chahal}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:Lebanese emigrants to France]]
[[Category:Lebanese emigrants to France]]
[[Category:Lebanese film directors]]
[[Category:Lebanese film directors]]
[[Category:Female film directors]]
[[Category:Lebanese women film directors]]
[[Category:Cancer deaths in France]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in France]]
[[Category:Lebanese Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:Lebanese Sunni Muslims]]
[[Category:People from Tripoli, Lebanon]]
[[Category:People from Tripoli, Lebanon]]
[[Category:Officers of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon)]]
[[Category:Officers of the National Order of the Cedar]]
[[Category:French Muslims]]

[[Category:Lebanese people of Iraqi descent]]
[[ar:رندة الشهال]]
[[Category:French people of Iraqi descent]]
[[fr:Randa Chahal Sabbag]]
[[arz:رنده الشهال الصباغ]]

Latest revision as of 05:14, 12 December 2023

Randa Chahal Sabbagh (Arabic: رندا شهال صباغ) was a Lebanese film director, producer and screenwriter. Chahal was born December 11, 1953, in Tripoli, Lebanon to an Iraqi mother and a Lebanese father.[1] She died of cancer August 25, 2008, in Paris, France (at age 54).[2]

Awards[edit]

(See below for individual film awards and nominations)

Career[edit]

Chahal began her career with documentary films but shifted to feature films by the 1990s, though she retained 'a documentary-maker's nose for contentious subject matter'.[2] She is reported to have said, "You discover in my films a common denominator. You notice that the camera only moves from right to left exactly like Arabic writing."[3]

Chahal served as a jury member at the Venice 64th International Film Festival in the Opera Prima section.

Les Infidèles, a 1997 drama, is about the relationship between a French diplomat and a former Islamist who agrees to turn over the names of his colleagues if the French government will release an imprisoned friend.[4]

Civilisées (A Civilized People) released in 1999, is a black comedy about the Lebanese Civil War, which killed at least 100,000 people.[5] Sabbagh deployed a 'vaudevillian cast'[2] including foreign servants and philanthropists, visiting expatriates, militiamen and criminals – in a profane and dis-unified story mixing elements of absurdist plays. Some 40 minutes of the film was censored for its 'obscenity' and 'uncomplimentary representation of Lebanon during this particularly unsavory spell of its history'.[2][3] It was subsequently screened only once, at the Beirut International Film Festival.

Chahal became noted in 2003 with The Kite, which received the Silver Lion at the 2003 Venice Film Festival and won several prestigious prizes and international acclaim; the Grand Special Jury Prize, the Cinema for Peace Award and the Laterna Magica Prize.[citation needed] Set in a low-key South Lebanese village, the film is about love, life, death and the absurdity of the Israeli occupation, seen from the perspective of a Druze family separated following the division of their village into two with one half annexed to Israel. The story evolves around an arranged marriage between Lamia, a 16-year-old Lebanese Druze girl, (played by Flavia Bechara) and her Israeli Druze cousin (played by Maher Bsaibes). The drama unfolds under the vigilant yet impotent Israeli-Lebanese border guards; one of whom is played by renowned Lebanese composer, actor and playwright Ziad Rahbani. The Kite is used 'as a metaphor for love and for life at the border', it explores, with depth and sometimes humor, 'the meaning of brides, of the hope they represent for divided families and, sometimes, for divided nations'.[6][7]

In 2005, Chahal started a new project with the distinguished Lebanese-American Hollywood film-producer Elie Samaha with the working title Too Bad for Them. The film was expected to combine comedy, music, dancing as well as politics, and North-South socio-economic disparities. However, the film was unreleased at the time of her death.[citation needed]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Notes
2007 Too Bad for Them
  • Forthcoming
2002 Le Cerf-Volant (The Kite)
2000 Souha, survivre à l'enfer
  • Documentary, 56 minutes
  • Selection Fipa, 2001
1999 Civilisées (A Civilized People)
1997 Les Infidèles (The Infidels)
  • Drama, 85 minutes
  • Official selection, Locarno, 1997
1995 Nos Guerres Imprudentes
1991 Ecrans de Sable (Screens of Sand)
1984 Cheikh Imam
  • Documentary, 52 minutes
1980 Liban d'Autrefois (Lebanon Long Ago)
1978 Pas à Pas (Step by Step)
  • Documentary, 80 minutes
  • Prize, Festival des Pays francophones de Namu

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ THE KITE (Le Cerf-Volant): Directed by Randa Chahal Sabbagh
  2. ^ a b c d "Award-winning filmmaker Randa Chahal Sabbagh passes away in Paris" by Jim Quilty. The Daily Star newspaper, Wednesday, August 27, 2008
  3. ^ a b "Randa Chahal": NOW Extra remembers the life and work of the great Lebanese filmmaker. By Louisa Ajami, NOW Staff, September 1, 2008 Randa Chahal
  4. ^ Les infidèles (TV Movie 1997) - IMDb, retrieved 2021-05-25
  5. ^ Lebanese Filmmaker: Randa Chahal Sabbagh by Mai Hoang, World Press Review, March 2004 issue (VOL. 51, No. 3) Lebanese Filmmaker: Randa Chahal Sabbagh
  6. ^ Film Journal International 2004
  7. ^ A critique of 'The Syrian Bride' (Eran Riklis) with a praise to "The Kite", by Maria Garcia, Film Journal International, Sept. 2008

References[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Randa_Chahal_Sabag&oldid=1189491890"