After an emotional exchange between a Lebanese man (Adel Karam) and a Palestinian refugee (Kamel El Basha) escalates, the two end up in a court case that gets national attention.
"L'insult" ("The Insult") is Lebanon's official submission for the best foreign language film in this year's Oscar race. They have tried to achieve getting nominated for 14 times in the last 40 years, and this is the first successful attempt.
I would call it a solid mix of social commentary and courtroom drama but can't find inspiration to write about the experience at length.
Maybe it's a brave movie by Lebanese standards, depicting the long-standing tensions between nationals and refugees, but it seems pretty mainstream work compared to the standards set by American or international movies.
The screenplay is certainly intelligent but doesn't feel especially original or deep - just a relevant topic and quite a simple story well told.
The clever part is showing how loaded issues start a life of their own fast and may travel far beyond the point that the instigators intended.
Still, the undoubtedly strongest point of it all is the captivating, understated acting by two leads which gives even the smallest events a hefty bunch of suspense. The performances feel more Oscar-worthy than the whole thing itself, really.
All in all, "L'insult" is an agreeable submission for Oscar race, but I'd rather vote for Russian "Loveless" or Chilean "Una mujer fantástica" ("Fantastic Woman"). Both feel stronger and more ambitious dramatically and artistically, also partially cover the same topics of irrational hate and possibility of redemption.
Of this year's five foreign language movie noms, I haven't yet seen Hungary's "On Body and Soul".
"L'insult" ("The Insult") is Lebanon's official submission for the best foreign language film in this year's Oscar race. They have tried to achieve getting nominated for 14 times in the last 40 years, and this is the first successful attempt.
I would call it a solid mix of social commentary and courtroom drama but can't find inspiration to write about the experience at length.
Maybe it's a brave movie by Lebanese standards, depicting the long-standing tensions between nationals and refugees, but it seems pretty mainstream work compared to the standards set by American or international movies.
The screenplay is certainly intelligent but doesn't feel especially original or deep - just a relevant topic and quite a simple story well told.
The clever part is showing how loaded issues start a life of their own fast and may travel far beyond the point that the instigators intended.
Still, the undoubtedly strongest point of it all is the captivating, understated acting by two leads which gives even the smallest events a hefty bunch of suspense. The performances feel more Oscar-worthy than the whole thing itself, really.
All in all, "L'insult" is an agreeable submission for Oscar race, but I'd rather vote for Russian "Loveless" or Chilean "Una mujer fantástica" ("Fantastic Woman"). Both feel stronger and more ambitious dramatically and artistically, also partially cover the same topics of irrational hate and possibility of redemption.
Of this year's five foreign language movie noms, I haven't yet seen Hungary's "On Body and Soul".