The Beirut Apt (2006)

In The Beirut Apt, italian filmmakers rent an apartment so their lebanese interview subjects – muslims and christians – can speak freely about their sexuality, even though the country’s notorious article 514 makes it illegal to do so. the small space of the apartment harbours issues of international importance. despite different backgrounds and opinions, these eloquent men and women share the struggle to live authentically in a culture that denies their existence. It shows Lebanese gays and lesbians passing through the conflict of sexual, religious and social identity, the war against Israel and the “Article 534” of the Lebanese Penal Code that forbids “indecent acts”. Main characters featured are Youssef, dancer, Maha, a psychotherapist, Rachid, a shopworker and Faisal, a Palestinian origin Reike healer