Finished watching Heaven Without People on Netflix but still can't take out the beautifully written characters out of my head. They're so real that they live with you and breathe with you. The characters are like intricately woven canvas from the many existing characters that we meet and know and even live with.
A must watch!
56 Reviews
Bravo!
Faristuta3 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As an Arab (Jordanian) who's aware of the political and religious conflicts in Lebanon, I enjoyed this film quite a bit. At times, it even felt like a reality show given how realistic and natural the dialogue was.
I'm really impressed how such a low-budget film can achieve in conveying real life issues to outsiders more than much more well-funded films. This is a victory for young and ambitious film makers like the director Lucien.
Some concepts may seem unusual for people unaware of the culture, for example in Lebanon you can guess someone's religious affiliation (sometimes) based on where they live. Having a live-in housekeeper is also common in the Arab world as well even in middle-class families.....etc
One moment I specifically liked in the film, is when the bride revealed where she lives, suggesting she may be Muslim, there was immediate silence in the room. You could feel the tension rising from that moment on. The camera angel, her low-toned voice... that was a superb moment.
This film shows that you can achieve so much with relatively low budget. Great job.
A Lebanese True Story
georges-nahas19 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Ghada el Eid "Heaven without People" is a true reflection of a casual holiday reunion by a Christian Lebanese family! Endless talk of politics, immigration, relegion, extremism and above all unfortunately fake relations amoung the family itself! Written and directed by Lucien Bourjeily, the movie is shot in a hand held camera dogma style and it really seems like you're watching a one location play. A simple gathering that turns upside down into unexpected surprises which I will not spoil for sure! To conclude, it wouldn't have been powerful without a great cast of "non-professional" actors that helped make the movie even more real! You'll find a true copy of yourself in one of the characters I can assure that! Go watch independent Lebanese movies it's on Netflix.
Simple work of art
joebahout17 May 2020
You start watching not knowing what's it all about, a big family meeting for an Easter lunch ,loud discussions ,arguments about religion, freedom of expression, politics and immigration which leads to get to know each one of them and their relation to reach other. That's how the storyline starts .
I felt that the actors were improvising,expressing very naturally and freely . I'll leave the rest for you to discover. Don't miss it
Brilliant
sarieddine_haitham4 June 2020
A must see!
youssss30 March 2019
Spot on
hishamabiali21 May 2020
Authentic, Relatable, Clever
yaraelmoghrabi25 July 2018
This movie is a must watch not only for Lebanese yet for all.
You can easily related to all main characters of the family, which is representing different opinions &personalities in any society. Laughs are guaranteed while listening to a smart and genuine discussion about Life, marriage, politics, corruption, social differences and sectarianism.
Spontaneous acting. Strong Script. Beautiful directing.
Raw, complex and unforgettable!
danawi22 May 2020
Incredible acting with a plot that starts much like a documentary then sneaks up on you and escalates to a Pandora's box of intricate and intense scenes, building up to a mesmerizing grand finally. So layered, so intense, so complex, yet so poignantly simple. Brilliantly directed and beautifully written. A feast for the eye and the soul. Bravo!
Simple, real and hilarious with deep meanings
anthnader12 August 2018
Although it was shot all in one single house, this movie is a constant attention grabber. It keeps you closely following the dialogue, which you can relate to as a Lebanese. A dialogue that is real, spontaneous and makes you forget the actors are actually acting. A very authentic mis-en-scene and a scenario that speaks of our reality as Lebanese families, with frustrations, complexities, and even fakeness. It is more stunning to learn that it was done with a very low budget and with actors having their first acting experience
Brilliant work of art🌟
diananajjar-5006022 May 2020
Amazing movie😍😍
antonios-8377423 May 2020
Reality great movie!!
lindadassin23 May 2020
Great movie sharing lebanese immigrants thoughts and feelings through some of the characters. Also it showed how imperfect a family could be and become due to economical and social issues in the country. Loved each actor!!
Raw and authentic on all levels
hraoui-1051116 May 2020
Amazing cast, awsome movie
ahmadafyouni23 May 2020
Festen, Lebanese style
maximefo11 May 2021
What a great movie. I was impressed by the screenplay and the cast of actors: the story is subtle and gripping. It reminded me of Festen because of the moving camera and the family tensions. I thought Heaven Without People was also a brilliant and poignant introduction to contemporary Lebanese society (corruption, paralysis, diaspora, racism, religious tensions, etc).
Congratulations to the actors for giving such a vivid performance and to the director for being so creative and insightful. The movie also put me in the mood to enjoy some Lebanese mezzes.
Congratulations to the actors for giving such a vivid performance and to the director for being so creative and insightful. The movie also put me in the mood to enjoy some Lebanese mezzes.
A Very Realistic Representation of the Lebanese People
karimmaksad23 May 2020
I loved the movie. It portrays the Lebanese family as it is. The script is very important and it accurately represents dinner table conversations. It tackles the nature of controversial topics such as corrupt elections, racism, and secterianism very well.
The actors are very talented. Lebanese cinema and tv almost never portray natural dialogue and instead uses generic terms and sentences the people don't use in order to try to impress (and fail) the western community. They also omit curse words which are a very important part of Lebanese society. This movie however successfully and accurately portrays just that. It even takes a comical hit on Lebanese soap operas and on their "perfect" dialogue
Lebanese reality at it's finest.
alessandraelchanti-9506423 May 2020
This film is unlike any other Lebanese film that has been made due to the fact that it boldly addresses layers of issues that exist in the Lebanese society. The narrative and characters reflect the dynamic that every family in Lebanon has, which tends to come out most when gathered together over a meal. The cinematography is to be applauded because there is one family member on the table that you never see in front of the camera; yourself. I applaud Lucien Bourjeily for his courage to create such a complex narrative that is never addressed head-on in Lebanese cinema, and for doing so in in such a simple setting.
Loved it
naderelcharif24 May 2020
Real and down to earth
larajbarry23 May 2020
The journey with the characters began almost immediately, made me wonder where I was going to go with them. The closeness of the camera, weaving in and out made me feel as if I was part of the family. I went through the emotions of liking them, then not liking them so much, then feeling sorry for them. The actors did a wonderful job delivering scripted material in a matter of fact, real and down to earth way. Not an easy job. I was pleasantly surprised with some of the topics being discussed, but it made the story very interesting and made me want more juicy topics. I definitely went on an emotional roller coaster ride. Job well done! A must see!
A mesmerizing masterpiece. Must see!
dianamerhi26 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It has been a very long time since I have seen a Lebanese film so good.
No actually it has been a while since I have seen a film so good (period).
It may look like a film specific to Lebanon but actually this film is about humanity, about families, hypocrisy, truth and lies and overall about the human condition. The acting is mesmerizing, you never feel like they are acting: perfectly natural speech, even to the smallest details of hesitation, pauses, and repetition: 100% like real life which made the whole experience so involving to me.
I felt I was transported there, into that dinning room, into that house, that bathroom and I was sitting there with them, feeling their anguish and exploring their deep and dark secrets.
I watched the film yesterday on Netflix but I kept talking to my husband all day about it. I will make sure he watches it tonight, as you should do too.
It's a hell of a life-changing and touching experience. It's like you are suddenly taking the time to look at your own life in a mirror or like a an invisible outsider wandering around the house of strangers and witnessing their most private family talks, concealed arguments, and broken relationships.
A mesmerizing masterpiece!
Brilliant!
nour_ajouz29 July 2018
This movie is by far, the most brilliant Lebanese movie i ve seen in a while: Lucien summarized the story of a war-traumatized society in such a simple setup using gifted first-time amateur actors, encompassing all the issues we, the Lebanese, keep pushing under the rug (and they keep coming back with a vengeance), our denials, our frustrations...
A look at the faces of the audience leaving the cinema and the silence covering everyone's baffled mind, explains what im trying to say here much more expressively.
Amazing movie
gilbertbou23 October 2018
Great movie !
kaddechiimen9 November 2018
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