Tales of the Wounded Land

Toddler Camille scampers excitedly around the house, shouting “Boom!” in alarm each time a distant thud is heard. With every explosion the curtains shake, and tall buildings topple like houses of cards. Later, the family drives through the devastated part of Nabatieh, their hometown in southern Lebanon. The little girl gazes in awe at all the rubble and ruined buildings. Her mother, meanwhile, is unwavering: “We will rebuild all of this,” she says.

Tales of the Wounded Land is an eyewitness account of Israel’s attack on Lebanon in autumn 2023 and the 15 months that followed. Camille and her mother visit acquaintances and talk with neighbors. They, like Camille’s mother, are shocked and saddened, yet determined to rebuild their homes from the ground up.

The lingering slow-motion shots of destruction and the huge funeral procession through the ruined streets make for an almost surreal atmosphere. The city is unrecognizable even to its own residents; with extraordinary resilience, they salvage what they can.