Byblos - 17 July 2020

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Drive-In Cinema sign

2. Various of volunteers directing cars to parking spaces

3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic/English) Karim Abou Ghayda, founder of Drive-In Cinema in Lebanon:

"The concept of drive-in cinema is not new, it used to be held in Lebanon in the past and now it is being held abroad. So, we said why not, why not bring this concept to Lebanon and at the same time, because of the coronavirus, people can be safe in their cars and enjoying their time and watching a movie. The twist that we decided to is that the profit of this event will actually go to charities. The money that we will collect in this event will be used to purchase food rations for the charity that we are partnering with. So, the concept is a moving LED screen, we basically started in Byblos and we are going to move all across Lebanon."

4. People in cars in front of large screen

5. Screen

6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic/ English) Sandra Saleh, program and volunteer manager of NUSANED charity:

"Drive-In Lebanon made this initiative so all the profits they will make will go as funds to NUSANED (charity) and because we believe that in collaboration, the power of change is to collaborate together and to build a sustainable living, we decided that the funds that we will be getting from Drive-In Lebanon, we are going to match them and change a community service and a community space in Byblos."

7. Car in front of the screen

8. People in their car wearing masks, watching movie

9. Cars in front of screen

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Phillip Noon, audience:

"We knew about the event on Instagram, we were excited and we followed the page which within hours got 12,000 followers. We felt that this is a cool project, we were enthusiastic as such project exists abroad and we do not have it here, but it is the first time in Lebanon. Frankly, I called 84 times in order to connect with the guys and book a space, we are very happy to be here."

11. Aerials of the drive-in cinema ++MUTE++

12. Cars parked in front of screen

13. Couple in their car eating popcorn, watching a movie

14. Women in car

15. Cars with the screen in the background

16. Couple watching from their car

LEAD IN:

A drive-in cinema opens in Lebanon's Byblos city, enabling people to watch movies as theaters remain closed.

The profits made are also given to charities as the country suffers from its worse economic crisis.

STORY-LINE:  

A large screen is set up in open air in the Wagon park of the historical city of Byblos in Northern Lebanon.

Around thirty cars are parked to watch the movie "Hours".

For many, this is an alternative to the indoor movie theatres which remain closed in Lebanon due to the coronavirus.

Drive-in Cinema is an initiative by a group of Lebanese university graduates.

They wanted to bring back the outdoor cinema experience, now seeing a popular worldwide comeback.

"People can be safe in their cars and enjoying their time and watching a movie," says Karim Abou Ghayda, the founder of the project.

The drive-in cinema experience in Lebanon comes with a special twist, all proceeds will be going to needy families struggling amid the country's economic crisis.

"The money that we will collect in this event will be used to purchase food rations for the charity that we are partnering with," Ghayda explains.

Lebanon is grappling with an unprecedented economic and financial turmoil that has plunged much of its middle class into sudden poverty amid a currency crash and soaring food prices.

The Mediterranean country has been easing coronavirus restrictions since May, allowing malls and dine-in restaurants to reopen at limited capacity.

"We were enthusiastic as such project exists abroad and we do not have it here, it is the first time in Lebanon," says Phillip Noon, while sitting with his Fiancé in a convertible car, watching the movie.

The first event was held in the port city of Byblos but the cinema will be touring different Lebanese cities every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.