Private Project

Āh

English: In the intricate tapestry of 1950s Lebanese aristocracy, Malek, a scion of noble lineage, becomes entangled in a poignant struggle. His ardent same-sex love defies the matriarch's stern disapproval, igniting a tumultuous battle. As societal expectations bear down on him, Malek descends into profound sublimation, succumbing to an unsettling loss of reality. Tragedy strikes; his beloved becomes collateral damage—a symbol of love and stability irrevocably shattered. Malek's essence fractures, leaving him adrift in the bewildering haze of isolation.

Español: Malek, un miembro de una familia feudal libanesa, lucha por preservar su relación homosexual contra la confrontación de la matriarca. Su desaprobación lo lleva a la sublimación, y el sacrificio de su amante como daño colateral destruye un símbolo de amor y estabilidad, destrozando el sentido de sí mismo de Malek.

Français: Malek, héritier d'une famille féodale libanaise, se bat pour préserver sa relation homosexuelle face à la confrontation de la Matriarche. Son désaveu le mène à la sublimation, et le sacrifice de son amant en dommage collatéral détruit un symbole d'amour et de stabilité, brisant le sens de soi de Malek.

  • Alex El Dahdah
    Director
  • Alex El Dahdah
    Producer
  • Roody Madi
    Producer
  • Taline Bedikian
    Cinematographer
  • Alex El Dahdah
    Key Cast
  • Nadra Assaf
    Key Cast
  • William Okaily
    Key Cast
  • Teresa Kristi Abboud
    Key Cast
  • Demi Kanaan
    Art Director
  • Alex El Dahdah
    Writer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    آه
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    600 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Lebanon
  • Country of Filming:
    Lebanon
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Lebanese American University
  • Aurora Film Festival
    Caserta
    Italy
    August 16, 2020
    Official Selection
  • GlennFest Film Festival
    Downey
    United States
    October 3, 2020
    Official Selection
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 19, 2020
    Award of Excellence (Special Jury Mention) - August 2020
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 19, 2020
    Best LGBTQ Short (August 2020)
  • IndieX Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    January 1, 2022
    Annual Award Nominee
  • Hilltop Film Festival of Diversity and Inclusion
    Birmingham
    United States
    September 25, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Screen Power Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 5, 2020
    Best LGBTQ+ Film (September 2020)
  • Andromeda Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    November 7, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Hidalgo Film Fest
    Hidalgo
    Mexico
    November 26, 2020
    Official Selection
  • image+nation. festival film lgbtqueer Montreal
    Montreal
    Canada
    December 9, 2020
    Official Selection
  • LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV & AWARDS - World Cine Fest
    MAHARASHTRA
    India
    December 25, 2020
    Nominee
  • NewFilmmakers Los Angeles
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 12, 2020
    Official Selection (InFocus: Middle Eastern Cinema)
  • Top Indie Film Awards
    Tokyo
    Japan
    February 6, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Watersprite Film Festival
    Cambridge
    United Kingdom
    March 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Melbourne Queer Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    March 11, 2021
    Finalist
  • First-Time Filmmaker Sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 22, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Karnavati International Film Festival
    Ahmedabad
    India
    March 27, 2021
    Official Selection
  • )||( - ISAFF
    Saint Petersburg
    Russian Federation
    March 27, 2021
    Honorable Mention
  • KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
    Mumbai
    India
    August 19, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Tracce Cinematografiche Film Fest
    Rome
    Italy
    June 28, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Alvsbyn Film Festival
    Norrbotten
    Sweden
    May 8, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Spring Grove Caledonia Film Festival
    Minnesota
    United States
    July 23, 2021
    Official Selection
  • QueerX
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 11, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Queer Global Arts Fest

    United States
    March 26, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Internacional Queer Film Festival Playa del Carmen
    Playa del Carmen
    Mexico
    November 11, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Lebanese Independent Film Festival - LIFF
    Beirut
    Lebanon
    September 24, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Beijing Queer Film Festival
    Beijing
    China
    November 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Las Vegas Queer Arts Film Festival
    Las Vegas, NV
    United States
    October 15, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Global Youth Film Festival Bangladesh
    Dhaka
    Bangladesh
    November 25, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Las Cruces International Film Festival
    Las Cruces, New Mexico
    United States
    March 2, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Alex El Dahdah

Alex El Dahdah (born in Byblos, Lebanon) is a filmmaker and visual artist primarily focusing on collective identities, space, and memory themes. His oeuvre encompasses independent films, video art, photography, and graphic prints. El Dahdah's work has been screened and exhibited in numerous film festivals and galleries in major cities such as Los Angeles, Saint Petersburg, Mumbai, Beijing, Tokyo, London, and Montreal. His film "Āh" garnered significant recognition, earning awards at the IndieX Film Fest and Screen Power Film Festival. His participation in NewFilmmakers LA, hosted by the Academy Awards, further underscores his achievements.

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