Sectioned into 8 chapters, the enigma of The Secret Garden (Nour Ouayda, 2023) deepens as it twists its beautiful narrative against the backdrop of Beirut’s history. The documentary’s mysterious aura is not merely an allegory but a complex reflection of the city’s struggle for renewal in the aftermath of civil war. The lush greenery and peculiar plants that dominate the frame become symbolic of a longing for past beauty, a desire for transformation, and a quest for peace in a city scarred by conflict.
Beirut, though never explicitly showcased, is felt in the edges of the frame, a city seen through the prism of nature’s intervention. The deliberate choice to avoid a holistic portrayal of the city perhaps mirrors the fragmented reality of Beirut, struggling to reconcile its past and present, divided by internal conflicts and external pressures from neighboring Israel and Syria.
The explicit reference to the garden as a refuge for dissidents adds a layer of political and social commentary. Are these mystical plants a symbol of the return of beautiful things to the city, or do they harbor a more ambiguous nature? The documentary leaves this ambiguity hanging, inviting the audience to ponder the trustworthiness of these enchanting botanical wonders.
The Secret Garden (2023) isn’t just a treat for the eyes and ears, it is like a journey into hope and doubt. The documentary challenges audiences to question: are the magical plants bringing good things, or could they cause more problems? It mixes fantasy with real-life issues, making you think about the complicated story of the city. The playful tone, echoed in the soundtrack, invites you to revel in the potential of magic and strangeness, blurring the lines between the possible and the impossible. If you seek a cinematic experience that defies convention, The Secret Garden (2023) calls out to you. It might linger in your thoughts long after the credits roll.
Is the plant a harbinger of hope or a source of terror? Find your own perspective at Gedung ex Bioskop Permata on December 5th at 17:00, or at Bioskop Sonobudoyo on December 8th at 13:00 as the film screens under Perspektif program Festival Film Dokumenter 2023. Two dates, two places, let’s explore the essence of this botanical mystery together, shall we? (Tirza Kanya B.) (Vanis)
Film Details
The Secret Garden (الحديقة السريّة)
Nour Ouayda | 27 Min | 2023 | Lebanon | Color | 17+
Screening Schedule
12.05 | Gedung ex Bioskop Permata | 17.00 WIB
12.08 | Bioskop Sonobudoyo | 13.00 WIB
