More than a hundred guests enjoyed getting together to watch Arzé at the beautiful Mercury Cinema Hall
ALCASA launched a brand new Arabic Arts Alive 2025 series with the SA community through hosting a special movie night at Mercury Cinema on Saturday 3 May 2025!
The project “Arabic Arts Alive: Strengthening Community Connections Through Film, Music, and Dance”, is an ALCASA initiative that brings the SA community together through shared cultural experiences while creating warm and welcoming spaces to enjoy Arabic film, music, dance, and storytelling.
On Saturday 3 May, we invited the community to attend an SA History Festival event and to immerse themselves in a moving story from Lebanon through the film “Arzé”. The event was more than a movie night. It was a celebration of culture and connection, featuring a short musical interlude and an opportunity to find out how to take part in future project’s activities.
We received the follwoing feedback on the movie screening event form Bridget Smith, an ALCASA member and a particpant in the ALCASA Arabic Conversation Group.
“As I left the screening of the Lebanese film ‘Arze’, I told Fayrouz Ajaka that I had enjoyed the film. Fayrouz is an organiser of ‘Arabic Arts Alive in 2025’. She smiled and said with affection for her homeland, “That’s our Lebanon”.
It was a story of simple humanity in a society of contradictions. It encapsulated the humour, the struggle and deep family ties of the Lebanese. When the audience who understood Arabic laughed, it was often with the recognition of an insider. When those of us who relied on sub-titles laughed, it was in appreciation of a community taking aim at its own foibles.
The evening was a hospitable entry into our Arab community. There were offers of complimentary fragrant cinnamon tea, Arab coffee and date-filled Palestinian biscuits. Lauded musician and composer, Adnaan Baraky performed wonderfully on the oud. This was followed by ‘Arze’ a multi-dimensional comedy-drama set in Beirut, the heart of Lebanon.
Arabic Arts are indeed Alive in 2025.”
About the film:
“Arzé” tells the story of a determined single mother navigating hardship in Beirut. With humour, grit, and resilience, she embarks on a wild ride across the city with her son in search of a stolen scooter – and in doing so, gives us a deeply human glimpse into Lebanon’s complex realities. It’s a comedy-drama that will have you laughing, reflecting – and maybe shedding a tear or two.
Proudly supported by a City of Adelaide Arts and Cultural Grant
ALCASA Team
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