21. Memory Box; movie review

 

MEMORY BOX

Cert 15

101 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong bloody images

My faith in cinema is gradually being restored after a rash of original and moving movies over the past two months.

Memory Box is very much included among the goodies - an emotional but deftly handled glance into the long-term fall-out of the Lebanese civil war.

Inspired by co-director Joana Hadjithomas’s own teenage letters and diaries, it tells the story of Maia (Rim Turki), a single mum who lives in Montreal with her teenage daughter, Alex (Paloma Vauthier).

The pair have a fractious relationship. Mother believes her daughter is obstinate and rebellious while the girl thinks her mum is an unloving closed book.

Despite the antagonisms, Alex has twigged that her mum might have been affected by her past, particularly the war which forced her grandmother (Clémence Sabbagh) to emigrate with her to Canada.

Thus, despite Maia's refusal to open the memory box which arrives from the estate of her recently deceased best friend, Alex cannot resist.

In it are letters and tapes which Maia sent to the friend after the latter and her family left Beirut.

She talks and writes feverishly about love and loss and their passion stuns Alex who also begins to understand Maia's frosty relationship with her own mother.

Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige's film splits between Montreal and the grumpy mum, grandma and spiky teenager to Lebanon where the stories which Alex is reading and hearing come to life.

It gives not only insight into mother/daughter relationships but also lifts the lid on what it is like to live during a civil war.

There have been a three movies of this nature recently, led by Belfast and also including Radiograph Of A Family.

The common feature is how remarkable it is that life goes on and how young people adapt to their surroundings.

Thus, there is more romance and laughter amid the gunfire of Beirut than in the safe family environment of Montreal.

However, there is also deep tragedy which causes longstanding mental scars.

It adds up to an enthralling mix.

Reasons to watch: Engaging take on the Lebanese civil war

Reasons to avoid: Needs background knowledge

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? The beginning of the civil war is typically dated to April 13, 1975, when the Christian Phalangists attacked a bus taking Palestinians to a refugee camp at Tall al-Zaʿtar, Lebanon. 

The final word. Joana Hadjithomas: "Maia's generation doesn't talk – they had to adapt. She is still in survival mode. Alex asks questions because she isn't afraid and she doesn't feel like a stranger in that country. When you do, you try to hide a little." Cineuropa

 

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