BENZINE
FINAL STAGES, 2022
13’, FICTION/SATIRE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC
Written and Directed by: Ayeesha Starkey
Edited by: Aly Diab
The production of Benzine took place in November 2020, way before the gasoline crisis became full fledged in Lebanon and the term ‘Benzine’ became a daily topic of conversation and concern. The film is set in the heart of Baalbek, and consisted of a main highway, a defunct gas station, and a makeshift corner store (dekkeneh), capturing the rural landscape. The short film approaches Lebanon’s heated political and economic climate in a satirical manner. Benzine plays out as a microcosm of dysfunctional dynamics amongst individuals when confronted with a collective crisis.