“Shadows of Beirut,” a drama filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, offers a frenetic and fragmented portrayal of life in the Lebanese capital amid personal and societal turmoil. The production took place partly on location in Beirut and partly in a Bulgarian studio, a split schedule that may contribute to the film’s disjointed pacing and restless energy.

The narrative follows Lana, portrayed by Tala Calil, who also co-wrote and produced the film. Lana returns to Beirut after 25 years to visit her ailing biological father, a man she remembers as abusive and alcoholic. Having lived in London with her boyfriend Ben (Michael E Rodgers) and her mother, Lana grapples with obsessive-compulsive disorder, manifesting as a fixation on wearing extensive personal protective equipment—a reflection of anxieties heightened during the pandemic. The character’s rigid control begins to unravel as she reconnects with family members, including her cousin Rami (Assaad Bouab), and forms a friendship with Sirine (Flavia Bechara), who helps her manage panic attacks during hospital visits.

The film captures a city marked by long-standing conflict and everyday chaos, illustrated through scenes such as a tense car ride where Sirine’s disregard for traffic norms heightens Lana’s distress. Director Tina Gharavi’s approach appears to mirror this turbulence, using rapid editing and a restless visual style to reflect both Lana’s troubled mental state and the pervasive disorder of Beirut itself.

Despite the energetic portrayal of the city’s atmosphere, some performances in English feel stilted and less engaged, while the Arabic-language scenes draw more nuanced, compelling character moments. Supporting roles, including men conversing in a ruined building and a sharply charged party scene where Rami’s wife publicly shames him, enrich the texture of the film’s social landscape. Through these interactions, the film explores themes of familial strife, financial hardship, and the legacy of violence.

“Shadows of Beirut” will be released in UK cinemas on September 25.