Scottsdale International Film Festival 2009

Director Deborah Harse is scheduled to attend and will participate in a post-film discussion.

In the aftermath of the war in the summer of 2006, despite all the devastation and political upheaval, the Beirut Marathon Association chose not to cancel the event, but rather to carry on with it as a testament to the resilience of the Lebanese people. But just 5 days before the race, a government minister, Pierre Gemayel, was assassinated. This was the fifth politically motivated assassination in less than two years. After much deliberation, they decided again not to cancel, but to postpone the race by one week. Lebanon then went into three days of national mourning, which included a massive public demonstration in downtown Beirut as an expression of both grief and unity. When the mourning period ended the Beirut Marathon Association reactivated their plans and held a grand opening ceremony for the marathon expo festivities. But three days before the rescheduled marathon date, Hezbollah called for a rally in the central square in an effort to overthrow the government. There was concern that the demonstration might keep the Lebanese from coming out to participate in the marathon. But instead, it took place with 22,000 people, in solidarity, running or walking the 5 km, 10 km and 42 km races with 'For the Love of Lebanon' as the theme. The Beirut Marathon Association is not political. They are just very passionate and dedicated people who want to do something wonderful to lift up their country. And in 2007, with persistent instability, they continued to carry on.