Lebanon yesterday reopened “Lebanese Cinematheque,” the national archive dedicated to preserving the history of Lebanese cinema and safeguarding its audiovisual memory. An exhibition featuring a collection of Lebanese cinematic archives was also inaugurated at the National Library in Beirut and opened to the public.
The “Lebanese Cinematheque” was established in 1999 and was originally headquartered in the Ministry of Culture offices in Verdun, Beirut. It included a hall dedicated to screening films, photographs, and documents related to the history of Lebanese cinema and filmmaking in the country.
Eventually, the Lebanese Cinematheque was shut down, although no exact date was officially announced. However, local reports indicate that the national archive closed nearly a decade ago.
Following its closure, independent initiatives, artists, and cinema enthusiasts launched projects aimed at preserving Lebanon’s cinematic heritage. Among the most notable was “Cinematheque Beirut,” launched by Metropolis Cinema Association in June 2018. The initiative consists of an online database featuring hundreds of Lebanese film productions, alongside regular screenings of both classic and contemporary Lebanese films.
It is worth noting that Lebanese cinema played a significant role following the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, as new themes emerged focusing on life during the war and the hardships faced by اللبنانيون, which became clearly reflected in the works of many Lebanese filmmakers.
MORE
