MONTREAL
Souraya Mon Amour
A film by Nicolas Khoury
Lebanon. 2023. Documentary. 81 min.
An introspection into the life of multidisciplinary artist Souraya Baghdadi through her relationship with the filmmaker Maroun Baghdadi.
‘Souraya Mon Amour’ invites us into the concealed world of Souraya Baghdadi, a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of dance, cinema, meditation, introspection, and imagery—elements that continue to bind her to the illustrious Lebanese filmmaker Maroun Baghdadi. Their paths crossed in 1981 in Beirut, during the tumultuous backdrop of the civil war, as they collaborated on ‘Petites Guerres’, where Souraya took on the leading role.
The film graced the Cannes Film Festival, and in its wake, the couple married and made their home in Paris. They thrived there until the tragic loss of Maroun in December 1993, a heartbreaking moment that occurred while Souraya was expecting their third child. Now, at 67, having cultivated a sense of balance and serenity, she is finally able to reflect on her unfulfilled aspirations. Through family archives, Zoom conversations, and deep introspection, the documentary unveils the intricate dynamics of a nurturing and essential relationship, defined by both presence and, above all, poignant absence.
