SYNOPSIS

Beirut, cease-fire of 2025: Youssef and Marwan cross paths at a birthday party. The war had separated them, abruptly cutting the chances for a love story Youssef still dreams of. Now back in the same country, he hopes to rekindle their relationship. But war changes people. Marwan has started working in politics, reshaping how much of himself he is able to give. For one evening, the two ex-lovers reunite, only to realise how differently they now want to live out their homosexuality.

INTENTION

As a Swiss-Lebanese homosexual, I am deeply troubled by the prevailing belief that all Arabs hate homosexuals, and therefore all Arabs who are gay live a life of fear and misery. My experience in Lebanon has indeed been much more nuanced: while homosexuality does remain illegal there, many circles of its society tolerate it. As a filmmaker, this is the grey-zone I want to explore, hoping to bring more accuracy to the representation of homosexuality in the Middle East. Aftertaste was therefore written with the urgent desire to counter the spreading of false ideas, challenge stereotypes about Arab men and reaffirm the humanity of people in the Levant region.

Filming such a movie is ambitious, considering how often homosexual voices are silenced in the Middle East, and with the current turmoil plaguing the region, especially Lebanon. Still, I know this film will resonate across Europe, where many also remain discreet about their homosexuality due to frequent assaults and fragile rights, and with war on Europe’s doorstep. I truly believe that a film showing peace after war and promoting tolerance will benefit all societies, and echo with audiences in search of nuance and hope.