West Beirut (1998) by Ziad Doueiri

In April, 1975, civil war breaks out; Beirut is partitioned along a Moslem-Christian line. Tarek is in high school, making Super 8 movies with his friend, Omar. At first the war is a lark: school has closed, the violence is fascinating, getting from West to East is a game. His mother wants to leave; his father refuses. Tarek spends time with May, a Christian, orphaned and living in his building. By accident, Tarek goes to an infamous brothel in the war-torn Olive Quarter, meeting its legendary madam, Oum Walid. He then takes Omar and May there using her underwear as a white flag for safe passage. Family tensions rise. As he comes of age, the war moves inexorably from adventure to tragedy. Original title : West Beyrouth (À l'abri les enfants) Country : France, Norway, Lebanon, Belgium Language : Arabic, French (English subtitles hardcoded) Production : 3B Productions, ACCI, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée, Ciné Libre, Douri Films, Exposed Film Productions AS, L'Agence de la Francophonie (ACCT), La Sept-Arte, MEDIA Programme of the European Union, Ministère de la Culture de la Republique Française, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK), Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF)