In the Shadow of Beirut

Abu Turkey, Saarea and family

Abu Turkey and his wife Rabia are doing their best to care for daughter Sanaa, who suffers from a debilitating skin condition. When Sanaa is called to an early grave, her family soak up their unimaginable grief as they force themselves to struggle on for the sake of each other and their other children.

Abu Ahmad Abeed

Abu Ahmad lives in Beirut with his 2 brothers and mother after escaping the Syrian civil war. Despite being only 8 years of age, Abu Ahmad does not go to school and uses his 3 USD a day earnings to keep a roof over his family’s head. Abu Ahmad despairs at his inability to secure an education – the thing he craves most.

Ayman Kujeyje and family

Ayman and Ikram Kujeyje have 5 children. Although all were born in Lebanon, they do not have citizenship as their Ayman’s father was Syrian and only a father can pass on citizenship. Ayman is motivated to protect his 13-year-old Sanaa against the perils of their tough environment and has arranged for her to be engaged to a local man.

Aboodi Ziyani

Aboodi is in his early 30’s and is not long out of prison. He works at a local tattoo parlour, but still struggles to make ends meet and find enough money to pay the rent and care for his wife and son. Can Aboodi stop this return to drug taking before he loses what he loves most?

Stephen Gerard Kelly

Cinematographer and director Stephen Gerard Kelly is an Ireland-raised artist with a sensitivity around post-colonial power structures and a background in development and conflict research. Stephen’s debut feature documentary IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT is Ireland’s official selection for Best International Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Garry Keane

Garry Keane - co-director