Melodrama Habibi

A charming cross-cultural story of rejuvenation, MELODRAMA HABIBI stars Patrick Chesnais, a Gallic Bill Murray, as washed up singer Bruno Caprice. Caprice was a one-hit wonder in 1976 when he recorded an emotional song about love and loss. Long forgotten in France, he's now a pill-popping receptionist at a Paris hotel who lusts after his reluctant ex-girlfriend. Meanwhile, in Beirut, there are people for whom Bruno Caprice evokes fond memories. For them, his song represented a moment of peace in a country often pocked by war. Caprice's biggest fan is a coffee industrialist's spoiled wife. Her husband Hurfouche hires the singer to fly to Beirut to perform for her birthday. Nadine, a young Lebanese beautician still scarred by her father's death, is hired to service the same Madame Harfouche. When Madame Harfouche is kidnapped – along with the family's prized Mercedes -right before her own gala birthday party, calamity nearly ensues. Nadine is called upon to manage the wayward French singer, whose song haunts her as well. Funny, surreal, surprising, and heartfelt, MELODRAMA HABIBI features kicky 70s opening graphics and a memorable tune called “Le Blues d'Aboul Zouz.” (In French and Arabic with English subtitles) — BB