Taste of Cement

Taste of Cement is a profoundly poignant documentary that delves into the lives of Syrian construction workers at a building site in Lebanon. This 2017 film, directed by Ziad Kalthoum, introduces us to the world through the powerful performances of Tia Alkerdi and Yara Ibrahim. Within an underrepresented niche of cinematic narratives, this film succeeds in depicting the stark realities faced by war-displaced labourers in a foreign land.

The title "Taste of Cement" is metaphorical, offering an insight into the film's central theme even before viewers dive into its chilling narrative. It represents not just the physically grueling labor that the workers must undertake daily, but also the psychological burden they bear as they reconstruct buildings in Lebanon while their homeland, Syria, is being reduced to rubble.

The narrative is knitted together through the experiences of the construction workers as they go about their daily routine. The main characters, played by Tia Alkerdi and Yara Ibrahim, embody the spirit and courage of everyday people trying to survive in the face of adversity. Their performances make the characters relatable, turning their struggles into a heart-wrenching saga of resilience and hope.

Alkerdi impressively captures the spirit of a laborer, grappling with the responsibility of revitalizing a war-torn city while living in the shadow of a war back home. Ibrahim, on the other hand, delivers an equally compelling performance. Their characters beautifully synergize to give viewers a real sense of the human part of the geopolitical crisis.

Taste of Cement is a documentary "film," but it provides more than reality. It is the merging of the tangible and intangible world to create an art form that tells a visually striking yet meticulously authentic tale of human endurance and the effects of war. Notably, the film adopts an observational style, doing away with dialogues and instead, focusing on documenting the daily life and routine of the construction workers, which aids the viewer in forming a bond with these characters and their humanistic portrayal.

The documentary skillfully captures the chaos and destruction brought about by war and juxtaposes it with the calm and systematic process of reconstruction. This cinematic contrast is instrumental in highlighting the film's central theme - the ironical ordeal of Syrian construction workers trapped amidst destruction and creation.

Adding a layer of depth to the documentary is Kalthoum's creative decision to encompass the sounds of construction—drilling, hammering, and cement mixing—providing a sensory insight into the workers' everyday reality. The sound design, expertly embedded into the narrative, evokes a sense of relatability and empathy among the viewers.

Besides, the cinematographer's skilful use of chiaroscuro, where light and dark elements play off each other, complements the overall narrative theme. The film also uses high-angle shots to present a metaphoric depiction of the crushing plight of the workers - small, insignificant, and overshadowed by the chaos around them.

Taste of Cement, however, doesn't restrict itself to depicting the hardships of the Syrian workers, but it also subtly highlights the universal human struggle for survival, dreams, and hopes for a better future against all odds.

Overall, Taste of Cement is meaningful cinema that attempts to transcend the boundary of language and culture with its universally relatable theme. It sparks a conversation about displacement, labor exploitation, war, and resilience. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the Syrian refugee crisis, as seen from a unique lens. The film, with its profoundly personal and intimate approach, demands emotional and intellectual involvement from the viewers, leaving them contemplating long after the screen goes black.