The Lebanese Rocket Society

Name: The Lebanese Rocket Society
Director: Khalil Joreige,Joana Hadjithomas
Released: 2012

Khalil Joreige Joana Hadjithomas 2012

In the early 60’s, during the cold war and the apex of Pan Arabism, a group of utopian students and researchers enters the race to space and create the Lebanese Rocket Society. Sometimes, and specially nowadays, dreams can overtake a tormented history…

Add to Playlist

Add Bookmark

Bookmark List

Play Trailer

Running Time:

94 min.

Spoken Languages:

Arabic, English, French

Subtitles:

English

Directors:

Khalil Joreige Joana Hadjithomas

Producers:

Georges Schoucair, Edouard Mauriat

Cinematographers:

Jeanne Lapoirie

Editors:

Tina Baz

Production Companies:

Mille et une Production, Abbout Productions

History

Press

Chronic'art

« A rich, complete movie, which also has the elegance to unfold with humor and lightness. »
L'Humanité

« Rejoicing. The Hadjithomas-Joreige couple is undoubtedly the most inventive and adventurous couple in Lebanese cinema. »
Le Monde

« Manoug Manougian had stored his childhood memories in boxes. Photographs, films, press clippings that testified to his incredible odyssey: trying to launch a rocket into space from Lebanon. »
Le Figaro Magazine

« The Lebanese Rocket Society: A dream told by two filmmaking artists in a resolutely committed documentary with precious archival footage... this feature film sheds an interesting light on this extravagant story... »
France Info

« A story completely hidden in Lebanon and that the filmmakers reactivate with humor to show the capacity of a country to dream. »
Elle

« This ingenious investigative work is the pretext to show a rich, inventive country, endowed with an immeasurable sense of derision. »
Grazia

« This amazing documentary gives credit to a country's crazy dream. »

Festival Participation

San Sebastian Festival - 2011
Official Selection
TIFF - 2012
Official Selection
CPH:DOX Film Festival - 2012
Official Selection
Seville European Film Festival - 2012
Official Selection
Doha International Film Festival - 2012
Best Documentary Award
Cinéma du Réel - 2013
Official Selection
Bafici International Film Festival - 2013
Official Selection
Riviera Maya International Film Festival - 2013
Official Selection
Durban International Film Festival - 2013
Official Selection

Additional Materials

Distribution Company

Back to Film Summary

This Week’s Featured Films

An investigative journalist uncovers the money, influence, and alarming rationale behind covert efforts to control the most vital resource on the planet in the latest exposé from filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish)
The road to eliminating poverty begins with her
Israel's military service is questioned through the experiences of young Israelis struggling with enlistment pressures. Innocence uncovers the personal cost of conforming, with lost lives and haunting diaries illustrating the impact of military duty on young souls.
BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY tells the story of the beloved PBS children’s series “Reading Rainbow,” its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television.
How did we come to this moment, where free speech issues have never felt more complicated and urgent, and where the nation is wondering a new: what price are we willing to pay for free speech?
Let us tell you a story about the boundary pushers who shape souls and give children strange dreams. The stars of STORY & PICTURES BY are picture book creators changing the narrative for the next generation, even when their own lives are not fairytales.
A political thriller that that goes inside the U.S. fundamentalist Evangelicals, revealing their power and influence on U.S. foreign policy, as they aim to fulfill the Armageddon prophecy and ultimately destroy our civilization
A one-hour documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress
Generation Growth tells the story of Green Bronx Machine and its founder, Stephen Ritz, as they grow high performing public schools, happy & healthy children, empowered teachers, and equitable, resilient communities across the nation.