Are You Glad I'm Here

Are You Glad I'm Here is a unique and heart-touching film released in 2018, directed by award-winning filmmaker Noor Gharzeddine. The film stars Tess Harrison, Marwa Khalil, and Nadim Deaibes in impactful roles. This picture carves out an engaging narrative that transcends geographical boundaries and deep dives into cultural gaps, intricate human relationships, and the complexities of life.

The story is set in Beirut, Lebanon's bustling capital, reflecting the city's magnetic charm and vibrant life. Here, it stages the unprecedented blooming of friendship between Kirsten - an American English teacher, played by Tess Harrison, and her Lebanese student, Nada, portrayed brilliantly by Marwa Khalil. The film becomes a cross-cultural exploration as Kirsten navigates her Lebanese experiences with Nada's guidance.

Diverging from the norms of a quintessential buddy film, Are You Glad I'm Here infuses a fresh perspective into the genre while offering a cross-cultural experience. It showcases a visceral female friendship that evolves and gets entrenched within the socio-cultural fabrics and predicaments of a foreign land. Kirsten, a fresh graduate haling from America, decides to teach English in Beirut. She yearns for new experiences and looks forward to navigating the distinct cultural diversities contained within the city.

On the other hand, Nada is an acquaintance she makes in Beirut. Nada, a housewife, is entrapped in an unhappy marriage. The unhappiness and the monotony of her life are prominent from the very beginning of the film, making it an enticing narrative for the audience. Each character is exquisite in their own right. Marwa Khalil brings out Nada's internal turmoil, grief, and relentless strength splendidly.

Together, Kirsten and Nada forge an unlikely friendship. They bond over common experiences, shared conversations, and the warmth of companionship in the unlikeliest of places. While Kirsten helps Nada improve her English skills, Nada introduces Kirsten to the traditions, culture, food, and life in Beirut. Tess Harrison eloquently brings out Kirsten's nuances - her curiosity, her craving for adventure, and her journey of self-discovery in a foreign land.

However, a disastrous mishap takes a place that drives the narrative of the film into a more complex realm. It molds the film into an exciting blend of a buddy film and a psychological thriller. This mishap images a moral event horizon and brings to light the grittier aspects of Lebanese society. As they navigate this situation, their friendship also faces various trials and tribulations. The choices they make and the paths they follow, severely test their relationship and individual characters.

Along the course of the film, director Noor Gharzeddine beautifully presents the kaleidoscopic streets of Beirut, thereby adding another vital character to her movie - the city itself. Gharzeddine brings out the contrasting elements of this multifaceted city that thrives amidst the beautiful chaos, cultural richness, and conflict-ridden past. Meanwhile, the film also subtly critiques the limitations imposed upon women, the struggle for agency, and the challenge of conducting oneself within the societal hierarchy prevalent in conventional societies.

The film also stars Nadim Deaibes, who plays an important role in the film, adding subsequent layers to the story, creating a beguiling narrative. Are You Glad I'm Here effectively projects a balance of levity and seriousness. The plot's dark turns are skillfully juxtaposed with the levity of the narrative, which includes kitchen parties, interactions with locals, and the hilarious follies Kirsten indulges in as she fumbles with the Arabic language.

Are You Glad I'm Here is an intercultural narrative that weaves together elements of friendship, moral dilemmas, and social concerns. The film offers ample insights into diverse cultures—introducing audiences to vibrant Lebanese hospitality and deep-seated, uncompromising social norms. The film's potent cinematic expression and controlled storytelling result in remarkable empathy towards its characters and the situations they find themselves in.

Are You Glad I'm Here will be a delightful watch for those intrigued by international cinema, complex female leads, and cross-cultural friendships. It kicks down the conventional story-telling approach and takes viewers on an unforgettable ride brimming with emotions, thrills, belly laughs, and a deep human connect.