Exploring Lebanon's Cinematic Memory: Lana Daher’s *Do You Love Me*

Lana Daher’s debut feature film, *Do You Love Me*, serves as a poignant exploration of Lebanon's tumultuous history, particularly its 15-year civil war that ended in 1990. The film, which consulted over 20,000 sources, delves into the complexities of memory and trauma in a country lacking a national archive. Daher’s narrative emphasizes the importance of remembering the past to understand the present, as illustrated by a character's struggle against the advice to forget the war.

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Lebanon has faced significant challenges since 2018, including a delayed general election, widespread protests against the ruling coalition, and the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in August 2020. These events have compounded the psychological impact on a population already grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Daher reflects on how these crises influenced her filmmaking process, stating that the ongoing violence, including recent Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon, reshaped her perspective on the project.

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Daher’s journey to create *Do You Love Me* involved extensive research through private collections and abandoned archives, highlighting the difficulties of accessing Lebanese cinema. The film incorporates scenes from historical Lebanese films, showcasing the contributions of pioneering female filmmakers like Jocelyne Saab and Heiny Srour. Daher’s quest for footage was akin to a treasure hunt, as she navigated unlabelled boxes and sought copyright permissions, even involving her mother in the process.

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Rather than adhering to a linear chronology, *Do You Love Me* focuses on thematic elements that resonate throughout Lebanon's cinematic history. The film juxtaposes images of joy, such as wedding celebrations, against the backdrop of violence and trauma. Daher aims to present a nuanced portrayal of Lebanese identity, asserting that the film is not merely a history lesson but a reflection on the cycles of violence that shape societal psyche.

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Elhum Shakerifar, a Bafta-nominated producer, remarked on the film's significance, stating, “Lebanon might not have a national archive, but there is something incredible about the way that Beirut, in particular, has been archived through cinema.” Daher herself noted that creating the film transformed her relationship with Beirut, emphasizing the emotional connection to her homeland.

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Despite the film's heartfelt approach, some critics argue that the focus on nostalgia may overshadow the urgent need for contemporary political discourse in Lebanon. Daher acknowledges this tension, expressing the challenge of addressing the past while remaining relevant to current events.

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• “It was very, very difficult because when we started editing the film, the war in Gaza had just started,” — Lana Daher, Director

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• “Taking that and creating our representation through these hundreds of other representations, for me, the form of that was also very important … making the film also transformed my relationship to Beirut and my relationship to home,” — Lana Daher, Director

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• “Archives the world over are curated. They’re choices, they’re fictions also. The access to them is selective. Sometimes, it’s down to whether you can afford to enter that archive or not.” — Elhum Shakerifar, Producer

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In conclusion, *Do You Love Me* stands as a testament to the resilience of Lebanese culture and the enduring power of cinema to document and reflect on a nation's complex history.

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