Inside the Lebanese Christian Elite: 'The Switzerland of the Middle East' | Super-Rich Documentary
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2023
- We follow the lives of four members of the Lebanese Christian elite. In one of the world´s most politically unstable countries, they are a symbol of the former “Switzerland of the Middle East” - the last representatives of a golden age they are reluctant to give up.
They have overcome their fears for the future and live life to the fullest, as if nothing had changed. They live in a bittersweet oasis, a mix of an intense social life with the extravagance of bygone times. Through an elegant mise-en-scène, we witness the end of an era and a way of life whose days are numbered.
This documentary was first released in 2019.
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This is from 2019! Banks have gone bankrupt. Majority of population lost most savings. These rich pp either lost wealth or some involved in looting banks. But things have changed a lot in 4 years for the worst.
All I keep reading is the rich got richer during covid.
True, worldwide.@@estherdarling6509
All of these transferred their money abroad!!
Well, what’s the point of publishing historical data to RUclips 9 days ago..?
Most rich people are still rich and even richer now! It's the middle class and poor people that get hit hard in these situations
Whether you live in Beirut or London, Kabul or Stockholm if you are wealthy life is different for you. A wealthy person living in a poorest country enjoys life more than a poor person living in richest country.
True that!
So true!
You got that right
Exactly absolutely right
Amen to that brother!
I want people to realize the gentleman who stated his mother stayed in Lebanon was one if the most decent women on earth. Besides stopping all recking balls from taking historic building down, she fought for the environment and she was 100 years ahead of her time. She was alive until 2020 when the explosion damaged Beirut, and building, homes, and historic landmarks that survived the civil war, were damaged severely. She had extensive damage to her family home, and sadly she was injured, which led to her death. I don’t think anyone could ever be like her again.
Isn't it Madam Sursock he is talking about? She was very old but got killed during the blast
When Savages took control of our civilization! But we Christians are flawed!
We should have brought together leb syr Iraq Christians under one fold. For now, we're the underdog.
@@LoverOFhopeANDcompassion God Bless Lebanon. Regards from Poland .
Lebanon is such a beautiful country. My grandfather was living in Lebanon during the '60s, and always talked about this beautiful country which was famous for its beauty, nightlife and sophistication ❤
Bro I'm a Lebanese Christian and absolutely never experienced any of this XD!
That all depends are you rich? If you are a rich Muslim, then it’s all the same. The rich hang out with the rich.
@@thezmanchar agreed
@@anthonyghantous3052 i always say it to my bro living abroad! if you are rich you will live like a king in Somalia and Afghanistan, it doesnt matter where, money will buy you everything, DHL will ship it you.
@@ArchieReviewsUKDeals
You mean money talks and bullshit walks !
@@ArchieReviewsUKDeals on point haha
Please re-post with the sound rectified. It’s worth it. Fascinating documentary
It is so sad. An old beautiful and rich Beirut has been destroyed. Many people
Have lost a lot. Especially, younger Lebanese have lost opportunities to enjoy life.
It is just sad.
@taketoshiutakamura4078 Destroyed by Who? The WEST(France, USA, NATO, EU, NATO) or their loving caring and protecting WS Zionist Racist fascist Apartheid Settler Colonialist State of ISRAEL? Check history of Lebanon History from the first Crusaders in 10-13th centuries PRESENT
Blame Islam
@@TirabintaToktik-hz1lxThat just shows that you have a shallow understanding of how the world works. It is not your fault, put the blame on your society that did not give you a proper education so that you may understand how economics function.
@@HeadCaptian Denial?? Lebanon was a prosperous country when Christians are in majority now look at Lebanon when Muslims takeover,, a third world Shiiithole
you are mistaken and totally uninformed and actually he said the truth and I support his statement yes it is because what he said , you have not lived with us so do not try to inform us about things you have not experienced and keep your perfect love that you think it exist in the world to yourself for we have experienced reality at its fullest @@HeadCaptian
"The Banking Sector is very strong here in Lebanon" 2019. Dec2019. The Banking Sector collapses !!
it used to attract arab golf money because they would give 22% in interest, which is absolutely nuts ! And the country had no backup in any other sector, neither agriculture or production so the country all collapsed when banks did.
Strong for them. They probably got all their money out and a little more to the expense of everything else.
Only one Christian majority country in middle East, now goes minority 😢
They became weak because their "elite" is morally corrupted.
It’s mind boggling to me how they let the Muslims ( Arab Palestinians particularly) take over and destroy their country
9:40 "..... In Lebanon they don't know how to make nice bows." ~ Rich people's problems in the middle of poverty and hyper inflation....... 🙄
Poor people can't have nice bows?
@@sayitaintso2900 I bet poor people make even nicer bows, but unfortunately rich people own the economy, and thus have the entitlement to downgrade hard working people.....
@@MotherAotearoa Are you a Marxist?
That was funny lol! I am scared to see what it's like in Dubai or in other richer places 🙈
I lived in the Lebanon in the 60s and early 70s. I love the country and its beauty. But someone, non corruptible, needs to take charge and restore its former glory. Good luck to my second home! ❤
As a LEBANESE/AMERICAN myself, we migrated ALMOST 50 years ago due to the war, let me tell you, it is not that easy to leave behind your home and your land, seeking for a new future! Especially after leaving this beauty we all watched.thank you for putting this video together,
Truly my heart brakes seeing how LEBANON evolved, and what was the reason for all these wars.
I remember as a child growing up,
First when the syrians took over, then the Palestinians came along to rule our land, as the civil war ravaged Lebanon. As i always wondered, these people ran away from the king of Jordan,for sure it is a strategic spot on the map for them,and i couldn't just connect the dots.
Once i remember wishing all syrians death, asking God to ruin their country as they ruined our country,after the killing of one of my cousins at a syrian barricade, simply for his name, and No one dared to get close to his car to even check if the was alive, Was a true horrific scene, simply for his name. As what followed were the Palestinians that took over many homes without even asking or knocking at the door, today what we seebin the news is this Iranian like militia, that extended feom Iran, to Iraq, to Syria and Lebanon, ending up in YEMEN.
I believe this is the true issue of the geopoliticall delema, as the gears are shifting form the West to the East.
I truly dont know if we ever going to see LEBANON in it's former Glory.
Only with Democracy that could be achieved, DESPITE the religious leaders, trying hard to destroy its past as it's future.
I wish all LEBANESE living abroad peace joy and love!.
I cannot write my religion Nor my faith in God, as that i keep secret in my heart, but i hope the new generations could find some books to read, only to understand where all these Lebanese troubles started.
Peace
🇱🇧🇺🇸
Former World Richest Man, Carlos Slim Helu is Mexican tycoon of Lebanese descent. 🇲🇽
did any of them ever pay any taxes??? any property tax? income tax? happiness tax? labor tax? 20 Indians tax?
They didn’t seem concerned with public services whilst complaining about squalor in Lebanon. They also seemed a bit mercenary by looking to make money out of the situation in Syria.
I didn’t have a problem with their wealth but the tone & feel of their character/attitude. Wealth that shines, sparkles & shares is great. Wealth that glares/flashes & dazzles is not.
So true!
20% Indian tax,?
nice editing , the way you film it is nice and has underlying critique
Yes, the critique is apparent - and understandable; there's something off about these people, living "the good life" whilst the country is falling apart and people are starving. Feels... very off somewhat, and the documentary accentuates that.
What a shame that the video file for this film was corrupt, because intermittently throughout the film the sound stops working. It would have been very interesting had it not been for that.
Yes. I was wondering if it was my computer that was causing that issue. Obviously it was the film.
My great grandfather and his relatives were Greek catholic/ Antiochian Christians from marjayoun Lebanon,
All the love to Lebanese Christians who turned Lebanon for a while into a beacon of joyfulness, freedom, culture, refinement, elegance, music, fashion, arts, dance, technology and education ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
????
👌✌
Yesss, as a Muslim I fully agree with this.
Degens
I salute you and I pray God to grant you and your loved ones all the good wholesome things in life Amen thank you Razana @@razanabdelrahman316
really cool video, a lot of good work
Nice content
Rich people in Beirut have some secrets... their currency collapsed but they are still rich,how ?
money laundering, offshore business, durg cartles... etc..
@@lil0296 Yeah, mine was a rethorical question 😁
Nah m8 we just good at making money
@@jsk3547 that's what a criminal would say :)
It’s every lebanese we are just good at making money not in a criminalistic way I mean most of us. We know 3 languages automatically as well as being very convincing talkers 😊.
Lebanon has one of the prettiest natural landscapes on Earth !!! Its natural setting is made up of a wonderful mediterranean sea's shore ,mountains and gorgeous natural woodlands with heavenly -looking LEBANESE CEDARS !!! One of the most spell-bindingly -looking trees on the EARTH !!! The only unlovely thing in Lebanon is the street uncleanliness ! The lebanese streets ,mostly are so full of filthy household stuff ,not so filthy as in India ,but are not as clean as they should be in a contemporary country . Otherwise all is wonderful in Lebanon ,food ,villas ,native dwellers ,who are a blend of Phoenicians and Arabs ,but are more good-looking than the arabs of other arab countries. Yes ,everything is wonderful there besides the street uncleanliness and the needless warlikeness.
As a lebanese, i totally agree. After the lebanese financial crisis, so many employees that work in such facilities left and no one is taking care of this anymore and the government surely doesnt care.
Why called Lebanese Cedars if they exist in Syria as well?
it is God that created this type of cedar not you nor any Lebanese or Syrian or any human being , the cedarof Lebanon was mentioned in the Bible Syria in the past especially during the Ottoman Empire cut lots of Cedars and some of their rulers loved to have them in Syria also so they planted some but most did not grow well enough , even the cedar in Lebanon is suffering and not growing like before the only other countries that planted Lebanese cedar on their own land are France England Germany and recently Hungary and Japan , there is similar cedars to the Lebanese cedar though not the same and they exist all over the world @@ronaldello97
do not be sad many Christian Syrians are Lebanese@@ronaldello97
@@ronaldello97because Lebanon compared to its size has a lot of them, even in the old testament there has been reference to Lebanon and the cedars of Lebanon. “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar in Lebanon" (Psalm 92:12) That is a verse from the old testament which is several thousands years old
I fell in love with Lebanon and Beirut after getting to know an Armenian Christian family who had lived there for generations before emigrating to the U.S. Their photos, memories and stories were so wonderful and they spoke often of the communities living side by side, often working or playing together, but never losing their own cultural and religious uniqueness. I loved the French influence and the chicness and glamour of their life. The mountains, beaches, food and culture including fabulous music and performing arts festivals to rival any in the world.
These people do not represent Lebanese or Christians within Lebanon. I watched this with an open mind but honestly found it extremely off-putting. First and foremost, they spoke everything but their mother tongue throughout the doco, that in itself is pretentious. Arabic is such a rich and beautiful language, the expression and description it offers is second to none, so why not use it?!? Secondly, they live in a bubble! If this was released in 2019, Lebanon was entering into its biggest financial crisis to date, and there is no way on Earth these people with their millions and therefore connections, didn't know it was coming. I didn't sense any compassion, empathy or humility in anything they said. I understand these people are of the "elite" kind (totally loathe that word, but will use it for want of a better term), but they have proven money doesn't buy class, only groupies who want to snap up a piece of what they have so they put them on pedestals. Yuk!
Could not agree more. Why are they not using their mother tongue? And NO! they are ARABS NOT EUROPEANS STOP BEING WHAT YOU ARE NOT!
Because maybe they are not arabs and never admitted an identity forced into them right? You heard about the arab invasions and that these Levant countries never wear arab countries. Would you like Congo people for example to be called french just because France colonized them? Or do you want Brazilians to be called portuguese just because it was a Portuguese colony and they speak portuguese? You understand… As for the rest I completely agree with you.
For me I didn’t have a problem with their wealth per se. It was the tone & feel of their character & lifestyle. They were conspicuously flashy & dazzling. Ideally wealth should enable people to shine & sparkle to nourish others.
Their attitude to parties during the conflict was self-focused - I wonder if they invited the struggling poor to join them! They would have appreciated the boost the most.
I understand the gap between rich & poor May have helped start the civil war.
They obviously felt more comfortable speaking Spanish which they grew up speaking. Very logical. Pride is not a valid reason to speak a language.
These people live in hermetic bubble and are afraid of their compatriots and we Lebanese do not and should not follow their example however sadly many do and are very affected by their ideology.
It would be an equally "interesting" documentary if you made another one narrating how these people amassed their wealth enabling them to maintain such "interesting" lives.
They're all old money, inherited wealth. The old lady at the end is Yvonne Sursock, fortune goes way back to Ottoman Empire.
@@Leo-vk6qm "...fortune goes way back to Ottoman Empire", i.e. Ali Baba and his forty thieves.
Interesting film, the director knows how to make space for the audience to step into and form their own opinions. Not an easy feat! But would have liked to have seen a bit more context and background story of the characters. Outside of Lebanon people will be confused as to who these people are.
👌
This came off as a hit piece on Islam.
I think these (the general attitude of the rich Christian elite in Lebanon) expressions of "the others" underline the endemic detachment from reality which ultimately made them the "underdogs". The elite who ruled Lebanon (Christians and/or Muslims) worried only about "me, mine and all mine" with a misguided sense of total invincibility. All blew up on April 13, 1975, and we have what we have now.
Not surprised that the most famous Haute Couture designers are Lebanese. ❤
That cool song at the start is "N'to - La Clé Des Champs" in case you're wondering...lol
Someone said that bank sector in lebanon is really strong 😂
There living in the past. So old fashion. But a beautiful country no doubt
Interesting
Nice documentary movie... But I didn't know which elite family was it???
The song in the begining is awesome, i think its a french dj.
Track ID: N'to - La Clé Des Champs
A land of deep contradictions. The ordinary people who continue to suffer in Lebanon have nothing in common with the parasitical elite. Regardless whether they are Christians or Muslims.
Woah. Was that Omar Khorshid on guitar 1t 14:55?
Cant wait to go back😍🇱🇧
Me too
Seriously
Thanks to the christians for making lebnon look like a tourist destination.
"war or not war, good life goes on."
Good Life for Who?
@@danielgrimes4597 for the one who have money of course, this bar it's kinda inspiring!
@@gdongdon525That was my point. Plus it would have been better to share their good life with the poor - they’d have really appreciated it the most.
They are sooo fake and ridiculous
Beirut has been the 'Paris of the Middle East' for decades.....
It sounds like you are touting a religion so called christianity as "elite," insinuating Islamic way in the same country as inferior? That begs the question, if Jesus and Miriam, just next door to you in holy land, would have approved that kind of "christian" life of today or did they teach pious life that Muslims in general live by or aspire to live?
Wrong
The real sentence should be
Atleast everyone had food during our days
Many Muslims in Lebanon and the Arab World live under the cloak and veil of Hypocrisy I was walking the streets of Beirut most of the Hijabs were either streetwalkers running tricks for some of the old in out while the other Hijabs I saw probably from higher class were doing pretty much immoral thangs
First of all, the documentary is made to show how ridiculous and burlesque most of these people are.
It's not made to show their prestige but only to make fun of them.
Second, you are right when saying that these people life is in total contradiction with the Christian faith. The film tries to show this contradictions by showing sequences in churches directly after the sequences with a belly dancer for example.
Third, like many people said it in the comments, they don't represent the Christians of Lebanon. Actually , they don't even represent the "rich" Christians of Lebanon.
Moreover, lebanese muslims too has an economical "elite" and some of its members are as much decadent and ridiculous as the people we see in this video.
Some people said in the comments that these people are responsible of the terrible economical/political crisis in Lebanon but that's not true. They have no/very limited political influence. However, they clearly got advantaged by the system in lebanon with nearly no tax for the riches, no social garanties paid by the employer, low wages ...
Finally, to be fair, some of the people presented deserve respect. In particular, the Lebanese Venezuelan which is a smart businessman.
Sorry dude. You misunderstood
Inflation rate, exchange rate, interest rate, GDP, GNP, GDP per capita, and blah blah, are all nonsensical macroeconomic indicators. I don't believe in the study of macroeconomics anymore, because it tends to misguide the common man in the street.
Lebanon is a failed state and its economy is in tatters.
Now who would believe that Lebanon which has a truncated financial system, a currency which has become worthless, electricity outages which the country has not seen before, and so many other problems, is also a place, where the wealthy top 5% of the population, continue to live like Aristocrats and Oligarchs.
This documentary should be shown as a case study to all students of Development Economics.
Always watching ur videos from makati city Philippines
They all seem to be lovely, elegant people. But lol, the amount of botox :))
Where is the credit for the sound track? Can anyone help?
Alright. money can buy happiness even in war-torn places. I presume that wealthy individuals in Syria or Ukraine also live extravagant and happy lives.
How about the majority poor population? Is anybody interested in their story? Whether it is Christian (where I belong), or Muslim?
Money can buy a cushion/comfort against unhappiness. They focused on their own parties during the war - Did they invite the poor/struggling to attend? They would have appreciated the comfort/cushion the most!
Obsolete and superficial
Ils ont une classe incroyable, ces vampires!!!
wait , did he say the banking system is still very strong 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Would also recommend "Beirut: The Last Home Movie"
These people may have the material comforts of life. But they are living in their past glories. The queen of Iran?!? 😂 In 2023, no one gives a damn about her or any celebrity or royalty. Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, King Charles, etc will all go the way the Queen of Iran, Queen Elizabeth, etc. No one will remember them after 2-3 generations. And that’s for the most important historical people. The lighting and colour tone of this film is so dull and old school. It has a sad feel.
There is the continuation of life with our children remember that
@@jsk3547 …”the continuation of life through our children..” That’s the person’s ego and sense of self importance, playing mental gymnastics. Trying to find ways to stay immortal long after the physical body turns to dust. The need to feel relevant and leave behind a legacy.
I think it has a sad feel due to their self focus & the tone & feel of their character. Wealth can be admirable but not with their approach. For example, using the situation in Syria as a business opportunity.
Many people don’t care about Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian but at least the Queen of Iran has more that’s interesting to her background & more worth knowing about..
I realise her husband was a despot but I think she may have been decent.
Yet no one will remember you.
I DIDN'T HEAR A WORD OF ARABIC , MUST BE WE ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE EUROPE/ LATIN AMERICA
What are the income sources of these rich Lebanese? How are they able to stay just as rich when the common people lost all their savings and have to rely on donations even for food, medicine etc?
Lebanon is a curious, enchanting place. I remember Macron's post-explosion visit when he offered half a billion dollars IF the money didn't go to the failing ruling class government. So this movie will sit dubiously in my mind til I read more about it tomorrow. You couldn't find more symmetrical, beautiful faces in any other country _(concluded while watching protests during the pandemic)._
it was all going soo well until u know what happened
Not well for the poor.
I was unaware of how affluent Beirut is. Seems like such a wonderful life there.
35:40 which old hotel is that?
LOVE the fact cristians and muslims can live together and be happy
Check the LEbanese history, about the War, and maybe you'll see the reality and change your view about this.
@@frankmorgan2772 might not be simple but there are situations whre it would be possible.. but seems a far away situation for now.
Terrorism is not answer and its gonna burn some ppl
haha u think christians are happy in Lebanon? great delusion!
They can only if they will forgive and forget what happened in the past, and move forward to a better future for our beloved country Lebanon 🇱🇧
you know i blame iran israel is also breaking human rights for some years but iran has a given refugee to terrorists and funds hamas and hezbollah so i do thk that iran has to first become a democratic state so that peace can exist after @@aami6412
More Lebanese live in Brazil than in the Lebanon.
Gone With The Wind
I hate when people put religion labels
For me these ppl look silly
This documentary is filmed in 2015!!
I find it a little strange that no where in the entire video did I spot or hear birds outside 🤔🤔🤔 didn’t see not one bird . Besides the captive peacock
Visited there as a pre-teenage with parents in ‘74. Always thought I will live there. Then the war happened, then the life. Never came back. Mais c’est la vie, non?
That’s what makes Lebanon so special,
God bless Lebanese people
There is a very confusing mixture of accents, some sound British, others French and some I don't know what
Audio starts again at 11:22
And 24:31
Then goes again and comes again .. :(
Sure… no comments. What’s Beirut like now?
My dream country 🌷
The film seems half finished
If one's filthy rich, dont forget the poor and needy of diverse cultures. This is your sacred responsibility to society
Especially if one claims to be Christian. True Christians live by the laws of God, which are antithetical to how these people live, in religious hypocrisy at its best, and it goes down from there.
This elite is not only Christian. In fact the richest people in Lebanon, and not very newly so, happen to be Muslim.
This elite -Christian and Muslim - is arrogant , weak and morally corrupted and will be forgotten very quickly.
It was christian who made Lebanon rich and then all destroyed in the civil war by muslims
Great documentary but no mention of the name of the people nor the name of the places frustrating .like who built the race course what s the name of the family. 😮
Yvonne Sursock is the old lady whose father built the racecourse.
Where is this lovely location? so I can go and visit but pay ofcourse
Byblos Lebanon .one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world
Oh, yes, and there's also Baalbek; would love to visit.Ancient country with interesting, dazzling history.and sites.@@mhm1963
You rich people do you think about the poor people ? I am not Lebanese, but my in laws are.
The responsible rich & those who are actually worthwhile do.
very sad..
But rich Muslims live same life, why continue to identify and divide this country into religious sects, while intermarriage is so much increasing between different religions,
By the way, families who constitute the "elite" in Lebanon are made from all religions. And now the economic crisis is touching everybody. If you are a tourist, and bring american dollar, you can be considered "elite".
Interesting film, but who was that belly dancer ???!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely not Shakira.
Yeah right .. that's a good question :)
Bro that’s all you got out of this?
@@Mighty-ue7bt ...What else am I supposed to get? I'm Maronite!
@@carlosacta8726 you know i was just having fun bro😂
can someone explain why the isr*eli ship on the t-shirt in the beginning?
Very ill-informed. The wealthiest people in Lebanon are not Christian
The documentary itself is nice but photography is bad quality there is also often no subtitles when they speak spanish and often no sound at all. Very low budget documentary. A pitty!
SubhanAllah great documentary
A country that is locked between something- means a country that has no access to a sea
I understand things have changed since Lebanon's financial crisis began but it is worth noting that Christians seem to do better in life than Muslims. Why is that????
Tried my best to watch this, got through the first 10 minutes then realized there is no content, just a slide show
This is kind of sick…
Now I understand the reason there is no famine in the U.K. Aintree, Ascot, Catterick, Cheltenham, Epsom etc etc.
Love Lebanon ❤
ليه الصوت قطع
Heart goes out to the people of Lebanon! Switzerland of the middle east not anymore!
What they really planing Sell at a restaurant its coke
N fast food they are reffering to meth
Money matters
......life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fools, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poors...
Good luck all the best Lebanon and Christian in Lebanon! Rudi.
(Secrets of sanatan dharma) is a phenomenal book everyone must read
Beirut could’ve been one of the most budding, culturally rich and beautiful places in the region, but it’s been destroyed by a series of senseless civil wars that ate at the country for decades. What a crying shame.
Islam is the reason.
Nobody talks about it.
❤