Where Do We Go Now? 2012

Where Do We Go Now? unfolds the poignant tale of a secluded Lebanese village, where both Muslims and Christians coexist. This village, encircled by landmines and accessible solely by a narrow bridge, becomes a microcosm of the civil unrest plaguing the country. The women of this village embark on a mission, employing various strategies with mixed results, to keep their men oblivious to the escalating conflict. They sabotage the village radio and eventually destroy the community’s only television.

The narrative kicks off with a young boy named Roukoz, who, accompanied by his cousin Nassim, undertakes the crucial task of venturing outside the village to retrieve essential supplies such as soap, utensils, and newspapers. Roukoz resides with Nassim’s family, mourning the loss of Nassim’s father. In a moment of unfortunate clumsiness, Roukoz attempts to repair the church speakers but falls, shattering the cross in the process.

As the plot unfolds, we meet several pivotal characters: the village mayor and his wife Yvonne](/actor/yvonne-maalouf), the cafe owner Amal, who captivates the attention of Rabih, the village painter, and Nassim’s brother Issam along with his wife Aida, not to mention the village priest and the imam. During a Sunday mass, the priest addresses the congregation, emphasizing the need for church repairs while attributing the broken cross to the wind. He reassures the attendees, reminding them that their fellow Muslims are not at fault.

Tensions rise when the imam discovers goats roaming the mosque, pleading with his community not to blame the Christians. Despite his efforts, a confrontation arises as a Muslim man points fingers at the Christians, igniting a brief altercation.

As the village teeters on the brink of chaos, the women cleverly band together to prevent their men from escalating the violence. They go so far as to hire Ukrainian dancers for entertainment. However, tragedy strikes when Nassim falls victim to interfaith violence, causing the women to confront their most significant challenge yet. In a bold move to regain control, they concoct sweet pastries laced with hashish for the men, confiscating their weapons in the process. Upon waking, the men are met with a startling sight: all the Christian women disguised in Muslim garb and vice versa. This audacious act presents a daunting challenge to their husbands and sons, forcing them to confront their sectarian prejudices.

To everyone’s astonishment, Nassim’s funeral proceeds peacefully, culminating in a transformed dynamic where the men look to the women for guidance and direction, hinting at the possibility of unity amidst division.