Out Loud: Film Review

The backstory behind the making of Out Loud is more interesting than the film itself. The filming of this Lebanese gay-themed film was vigorously opposed by members of the conservative community in which it was shot, with threats and acts of violence a constant occurrence. The film was completed only because of the intervention of military authorities, and post-production had to be done in the United States. The production travails are detailed in a companion documentary by the film’s writer/director, Samer Daboul.

It would be heartening to report that the results were worth it. But although this first gay film from the country certainly has its sociological importance, as drama it’s strictly middling. It concerns the unusual friendship among six young people, including Jason (Rudy Moarbes), still traumatized by the loss of both parents in a car bombing; Louis (Jad Hadid), devastated over his recent break-up with his girlfriend; the guitar-strumming Elvis  (Michel Sarkiss), who works for his drug-dealing father; and Rami (Ali Rhayem), whose family has recently found out that he’s gay.

Other characters figuring prominently in the story are Rami’s lover Ziad (Jean Kobrously), who’s learned firsthand the physical dangers of being outed, and Nathalie (Eliane Kerdy), a beautiful woman who stirs up complicated feelings among the group.

The film is fairly typical in its depiction of young people coping with myriad personal and societal issues, although they necessarily take on a greater significance considering the setting. But director/screenwriter Daboul fails to establish either a compelling narrative or consistent tone, with the film awkwardly lurching from comedic to melodramatic to even musical elements. With the exception of the vivacious Nathalie, played in engagingly vibrant fashion by Kerdy, the characters are too schematically rendered to make us fully care about them.

The filmmaker certainly deserves credit for having the courage to take on his controversial themes. But for all its daring, Out Loud is ultimately too muted to make much of an impact.

Opens: Friday, Oct. 25 (Ariztical Entertainment)

Production: Phoenix Eye Pictures

Cast: Ruby Moarbes, Ali Rhayem, Jad Hadid, Michel Sarkiss, Eliane Kerdy, Jad Hadid, Jean Kobrously

Director/screenwriter/producer: Samer Daboul

Executive producers: Samer Daboul, Cedric Troadec

Director of photography: Vicken Jilikian

Editor: Fares Khalil

Production designer: Gabriella El-Murr

Composer: Christopher Brady

Not rated, 102 min.