Watch The Insult

The Insult is a gripping and emotionally-charged drama from Lebanon, directed by Ziad Doueiri. The film follows the story of Tony Hanna, a Lebanese Christian and car mechanic who gets into an altercation with Yasser Abdallah Salameh, a Palestinian Muslim who works as a construction foreman. The men's argument leads to a physical altercation, but when Yasser sues Tony for assault, the incident quickly becomes a national controversy that stirs up old wounds and exposes deep-seated prejudices within Lebanese society.

As the trial unfolds, we learn more about the two men and their backgrounds, and the political and social context of their dispute. Tony resents the presence of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, whom he blames for the country's troubles, while Yasser is haunted by memories of the Sabra and Shatila massacre in Beirut in 1982, where his family was killed. Their clash represents a microcosm of the divisions and tensions that still exist within Lebanon today, decades after the civil war.

The Insult is a powerful examination of identity, justice, and reconciliation, and the ways in which our past experiences shape our perceptions of the world. The film is anchored by strong performances from Adel Karam as Tony and Kamel El Basha as Yasser, who both bring depth and nuance to their characters. Karam captures Tony's anger and frustration without making him unsympathetic, while El Basha imbues Yasser with a quiet dignity and resilience in the face of adversity. The scenes between the two men in court are particularly intense, as they confront each other and their own prejudices head-on.

The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Camille Salameh as Wajdi Wehbe, the attorney representing Yasser, and Rita Hayek as Tony's wife Shirine, who struggles to reconcile her husband's actions with her own sense of right and wrong. The courtroom scenes are expertly directed, building tension and suspense as we wait to see how the judge will rule and what the consequences will be for both men.

In addition to its exploration of the Lebanese conflict and its aftermath, The Insult is also a universal story about the importance of empathy and understanding. It shows how easily misunderstandings and resentments can spiral out of control, but also how forgiveness and reconciliation are possible, even in the face of deep-seated animosity. The film doesn't offer easy answers or pat solutions, but instead challenges us to examine our own biases and preconceptions, and to recognize the humanity in those we may perceive as enemies.

Overall, The Insult is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that confronts difficult issues with honesty and sensitivity. It is a worthy addition to the canon of Lebanese cinema and a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation in the Middle East.

The Insult is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 72.