Tomorrow We Will See

The film Bukra Minshouf (“Tomorrow We Will See”) by Lebanese-Japanese director Soraya Umewaka tells the story of Lebanon and art through ten artists, offering “a window into Lebanon’s flourishing creative culture.” Here’s more about the film:

A rock band’s thought-provoking lyrics, a poet’s description of time shrinking, an architect’s experimental manipulation of space, and a painter’s reflections on his choice of colors, reveal the process by which the featured artists transform ideas, sketches, and spaces into vibrant and dynamic works of art.
A common trait that unites the artists is their talent of using art as a tool for transcending sectarian divisions and encouraging freedom of thought. Through their own artistic expressions, they have overcome decades of social and political instability and the uncertainties of what tomorrow may bring.

And more on the director:

Soraya Umewaka is of Japanese-Lebanese descent and was born in Tokyo. She graduated from Princeton University in 2006 with a degree in comparative politics. A Noh actress (traditional Japanese theater), she has performed at the National Noh Theatre since the age of three. Through a lifetime of Noh training, she has attuned her observations of the nuances, symbolism, and subtleties of expression found in the arts. Her cross-cultural documentaries often highlight human dignity against a backdrop of social and political challenges.

Tokyo FIles has a really interesting look at Soraya Umewaka and the Japanese documentary, examining some of the film-maker’s previous work in particular her documentary I am Happy, which is about residents of Rio de Janeiro, as well as Tomorrow We Will See.

The blog This is Beirut had a post about the film earlier this year, in anticipation of it rather than a review. I haven’t seen it yet myself, so this is no review either. But apparently Tomorrow We Will See was awarded the jury prize of 2012 Deutsche Bank Creative Award, as part of the Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program. So that’s good. Also, take a look at the trailer below, which really makes you want to see this. Or it made me want to see it.

And there was a screening of the film and a discussion in October at CFR (Council on Foreign Relations), with both the film-director and Shibley Telhami. Worth a watch.