Private Project

Karkha, a village from Lebanon

"Karkha: A Village from Lebanon" is a compelling 44-minutes docu-drama.
It is the very first episode of the docuseries "Homes & Heroes".

In contrast to the conventional portrayal of Lebanon often depicted in global news and documentaries, this docudrama delves into the positive aspects of Lebanese communities and their optimism for meaningful reform for the upcoming generation.

In a dramatic treatment, it tackles the social issue that has been haunting Lebanon since the 18th century up until today: immigration.

The movie takes place in a small village in Southern Lebanon called Karkha while unveiling a rich history of the region since the 1700s and building with the audience an emotional journey that depicts how immigrants make a big difference when they share a piece of their success with their homeland.

The significant notion is that all those who appear as actors in the movie are actually the locals from the village whose naturalism and love for their land have spiced up the sense of realism in the storytelling.

  • Nassif Al Rayess
    Co-produced & Directed by
  • Julie BouChakra
    Co-Producer & Narrative Writer
  • Mr. Charles Hanna
    Created by the Support of
  • Mohamad Ataya
    On-set Production Manager
  • Pierre Azar
    Cinematographers
  • Bachar Khattar
    Cinematographers
  • Sam Atallah
    Cinematographers
  • Elsy Hajjar
    Cinematographers
  • Sam Nassif
    Cinematographers
  • Jihad Saade
    Cinematographers
  • Alain Donio
    Cinematographers
  • Nassif Al Rayess
    Editing & Post-production
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    44 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 25, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    80,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Lebanon
  • Country of Filming:
    Lebanon
  • Language:
    Arabic, English
  • Shooting Format:
    2560 × 1440
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

My journey in filmmaking started with a transition from communication engineering to media communication arts in 2006. This transition marked the intersection of art and science in my path.

Beginning in 2006, my career unfolded within the realm of media production and post-production. Initially kicked off in Entertainment TV, between Beirut and Dubai, as I crafted reality shows and music videos for local and international artists, corporate brands, and TV anchors across the Arab world.

My journey later evolved into the marketing communication sphere, collaborating with esteemed film production and advertising agencies. This led me to directing and producing TV commercials, video campaigns, web-series, and documentary films in the MENA region.

Today, after 15 years, I have developed a distinctive cinematic approach to storytelling and filmmaking.

As an independent filmmaker, I am proud and passionate to direct and co-produce stories alongside Public Matters Lebanon. We proudly present "Home & Heroes," a docu-drama series tackling the theme of Lebanese immigration since the 1700s from a human-centric to socio-political spectra.

Nassif Al Rayess
Filmmaker

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am thrilled to unveil my very first participation in international festivals.
I'm proud that we've made this movie with authenticity along with the people of the village who are the full cast in this project.

After two years of filming, the docudrama is finally a piece of a captivating storytelling, expressed through breathtaking cinematography, that delves into the up close and personal yet, at the same time, into a communal emotional trip of immigration, love of one’s homeland, and the richness of heritage that comes in between.

N.B.: The honorary Consul of Lebanon in Boston, Late Ibrahim B. Hanna, father of Charlie I. Hanna, CEO of Cedar's Mediterranean Foods in Massachusetts, was also mentioned in this docudrama film.

This film came to life with the support of Mr. Charlie I. Hanna.