Harvesting Hope - Behind the Lens

Harvesting Hope is the story of Najibe Rizk, a woman who gave everything to her family and village during the darkest of times. The Great Famine of Mount Lebanon had a profound impact on several generations, but thanks to people like Najibe, many villages were not abandoned. Unfortunately, the village of Bjerrine was abandoned during that period, while Ghbaline, in particular, persevered. Our mission at Afaq Films is to preserve heritage and stories that might be lost to time. The story of Najibe Rizk perfectly embodies this goal. We filmed a total of seven different interviews with people who either knew Najibe or had heard about her. Although we lacked any pictures of Najibe, the descriptions from the interviews helped us better understand how this woman was able to lead during such a challenging period. This film was created in collaboration with and provided for Jbeil Eco Museum. The premiere screening was accompanied by a conference about the Great Famine.

I asked Jbeil Eco Museum's founders, Roy El Daher and Mazen Rizk, about the significance of bringing this story to life.

Roy emphasizes the importance of such documentaries, especially in Lebanon: "Documenting our history and heritage is more important than ever, especially in a country like Lebanon, which has endured wars and crises that have often erased traces of our past. For too long, little has been done to preserve the stories that define who we are. Through our work, we strive to capture the narratives of ordinary people whose heroic actions continue to resonate through the stories of their children and grandchildren. These are the stories of Lebanese connection to the land, love of family, and values that have been passed down for generations. Our documentaries serve as both a preservation of our legacy and a source of inspiration for the younger generation, encouraging them to seek meaning in their own lives by understanding and valuing their heritage."

Similarly, Mazen highlights the role of documentaries like Harvesting Hope in keeping memories and stories alive: "It is crucial to work on our history, particularly in the realm of microhistory, to keep the memory of people and events alive. History defines the continuity and pride of a people—without it, a society is like a child without a mother. Our documentary, Harvesting Hope, successfully captures and preserves the importance of history, memory, heritage, and microhistory in our region. Through the story of Najibe, a woman who dedicated her life to preserving her family after the Great Famine in Mount Lebanon, we effectively conveyed these themes. The documentary's dynamic approach—utilizing oral history, testimonies from various generations, and archival materials—allowed us to share this history in a way that resonates with all audiences. Emilio, the director, expertly showcased the significance of this history through the eyes of the locals, using a blend of archives, photographs, and real-life scenes. This project was a successful transmission of our heritage, bringing together generations to understand a vital scientific, moral, and social message through a compelling visual narrative."

All in all, we immersed ourselves in the story with the intention of capturing the spirit of a difficult time in Lebanese history, emphasizing the community's enduring solidarity and unwavering will. Through the words and memories of those who knew her, the audience was invited to imagine the strength and perseverance of Najibe. This documentary required extensive research to accurately tell Najibe's story and would not have been possible without the help of community members.

-Emilio Bou Onk, Afaq Films Founder