Death of a Virgin and the Sin of Not Living

Original title: Death of a Virgin and the Sin of Not Living
Genre: Drama
Director: George Peter Barbari
Country: Liban
Year of production: 2021
Czas: 86 min

Awards and nominations:
2021 New Horizons International Film Festival, Poland: Audience Award
2021 Istanbul International Film Festival: FIPRESCI Prize, Special Prize of the Jury
2021 Leiden International Film Festival: American Indie Competition Award

Silhouettes of four young men loom at the backdrop of Lebanon’s seaside. Etienne, Jean Paul, Adnan, and Dankoura have fun and converse lively about their future while slowly sipping beer. They will probably remember this day for the rest of their lives. Three of them are about to lose their virginity to a sexual worker whose services they paid for with what was left of their pocket money. George Peter Barbari breaks the social taboo of sexuality of young Lebanese men. In a surprising and tender way, he uncovers the truth about their desires and fears. All of this accumulates in the character of Etienne for whom the approaching rite of passage will turn out to be a chance to reflect on paradoxes of Middle Eastern traditions, religious moral orders, and fragility of life. A restless camera follows the boys, sometimes taking a step ahead of them or purposefully distancing itself from them to look for a new perspective. Inviting viewers to participate mentally and physically, the director doesn’t forget to give every person the boys meet a chance to express their hidden feelings and thoughts. Made in a coming-of-age convention, George Peter Barbari’s debut feature forces viewers to slow down, offering them a long-awaited moment of relaxation. This cleansing journey into the deepest secrets of human hearts will make you cry when you least expect it and disarm you with its natural humour.  

Author: Daria Sienkiewicz

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George Peter Barbari – an Argentinian-French director born in the United States. His feature directorial debut “Death of a Virgin and the Sin of Not Living” premiered at the 71st Berlinale in the Panorama section.