JAKARTA - In the midst of the onslaught of local films and Hollywood blockbusters, an emotional work from Lebanon arrived in Indonesia.
Arze, a film directed by Mira Shaib and starring with full appreciation by Dimiand Abou Abbouud, Betty Taoutel, and Bilal Al Hamwi, landed on streaming platform KlikFilm starting August 3, 2025.
This film is not just present, but knocks on the door of the audience's heart through a simple story that contains deep meaning: the struggle of a single mother to face the hardships of life.
Simple Story That Tells Many Things
Arze is a single mother who lives with her sister Layla, and raised her son, Kinan.
To make a living, he sells pia contents of vegetables, which he cooks himself in a small kitchen full of limitations. But limitations don't just come from the kitchen of his life full of pressure: an underresponsible child, a brother who drowned in trauma, and the country's conditions are constantly turbulent.
When the motorbike that was pawned his brother's bracelet was stolen, Arze did not give up on fate. He chose to track it himself, without the help of the police.
This is where Arze turned into a spiritual and emotional journey of never-so-so-so-called loss, hope, and love.
Dimiand Abou Abboud looks amazing as Arze. His face emitted all the feelings that were not said: tired, strong, bitter, and still full of enthusiasm.
He did not make Arze the victim who was begging, but as a tough woman who continued to move even though the streets did not provide clues.
On the other hand, Bilal Al Hamwi as Kinan gives a different dimension: teenage finders of identity who are full of ambition, but lack of direction. The tension and love between mother and child is the backbone of this film. Like real life, their relationship is not always beautiful, but always meaningful.
With the setting of Lebanon being hit by a political and economic crisis, Arze chose not to scream about the situation. Instead, he took pictures of the impact from the corner of the surviving middle class small houses.
This is where the strength of this film: micro but broad. What Arze feels as a single mother can be felt by anyone, anywhere. Including us in Indonesia.
The decisions that Arze makes are often emotional, sometimes wrong, but human. Arze provides space for each character to learn from mistakes and interpret a second chance.
Not in the form of happy endings in the style of fairy tales, but in the form of warm hugs, honest tears, and the courage to return home.
Not everyone will easily love Arze. This film does not present a surprising fast or twist. However, for those who are willing to listen, Arze will hug your heart slowly and deeply.
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Behind the story of pia and stolen motorbikes, this film is actually about one of the purest things: unconditional love in the family.
The closing scene when Arze and Kinan hugged on a motorbike, along the hot streets without knowing where to go, was a moment that could make tears fall without being asked. Because we know, it's not the ultimate goal that matters, but the courage to stay together and not give up.
Arze is a poem about life and love, wrapped in a touching social realism. This film is a reminder that the family, although not perfect, is the home where we are back. A cinema from Lebanon that is very worthy of appreciation, and can now be watched exclusively on KlikFilm starting August 3, 2025.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
