Casting for a Film, Ihsan’s Diary

The video installation documents the casting for lead roles in Lamia Joreige’s feature Jerusalem: The Diary of Ihsan Turjman. In collaboration with Palestinian writer Majd Kayyal, Joreige adapted a 1915 manuscript by a Jerusalemite soldier in the Ottoman army.

The film explores Ihsan’s daily struggles during the Second World War– famine, epidemics, and political turmoil – as he contemplates Palestine’s uncertain future. Though idealistic, he’s torn by fear and dreams of studying abroad and marrying his platonic love. Before the war ends, he’s assassinated by an enamoured officer.

In Beirut, Palestinian and Lebanese actors audition for Ihsan, Soraya and Mohieddine. They perform scenes with varied interpretations, pausing to discuss character, acting and how to portray Jerusalem, inaccessible to them. Reflecting on the region’s present-day conflicts, they explore longing, identity and memory – bridging past, present and future.
Meanwhile, an animated drawing of Jerusalem gradually unfolds in the background.

Lamia Joreige is a visual artist and filmmaker based in Beirut. Her practice, rooted in her experience in Lebanon, reflects on history and its possible narration. She explores personal and collective memory through archival documents and fiction. She has written, directed and produced short films as well as a feature narrative presented internationally. Her artworks are widely exhibited. She was a fellow at Columbia University’s Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris (2021) and Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (2016–2017). She co-founded Beirut Art Center, serving as co-director from 2009 to 2014.

Director Lamia Joreige. Screenplay Lamia Joreige, Majd Kayyal. Cinematography Bassem Fayad. Editing Sandra Fatté. Sound Design Fadi Tabbal. Casting Nicole Kamato. Animation Lamia Joreige. Executive Producers Lamia Joreige, Nicole Kamato. Co-Producers Lamia Joreige, Nicole Kamato. Production companies Lamia Joreige (Beirut, Lebanon), Nicole Kamato (Sin el-Fil, Lebanon). With Rana Zidane, Aly Harkous, Imad Alawneh, Omar Ahmed, Dana El Sherif, Mohamed Ahmed.

Films: 1999: Objects of War (1,2,3,4,5,6). 2000: Replay. 2002: Replay (bis). 2003: ﻫُﻨَﺎك وَرُﻤﺑﱠ َﺎ ﻫُﻨَﺎ / Here and Perhaps Elsewhere. 2004: Sleep. 2007: Un Voyage / A Journey. 2013: Nights and Days. 2014: And the Living is Easy. 2016: After the river. 2021: Sun & Sea. 2026: Casting for a film, Ihsan’s Diary (Forum Expanded 2026).