From playing the stoic wife of the Patriarch Logan Roy in the phenomenally successful international hit SUCCESSION, and with roles in BLADERUNNER 2O49, THE OLD MAN with Jeff Bridges, PALESTINIAN 36, and a career that spans from Palestine, Lebanon, across Europe and The United States, Hiam Abbass is one very talented and important actress.
Her role choice in ONLY REBELS WIN isn’t only a vote in the storyline, it’s a shot of confidence in the occasionally emaciated arm of the Lebanese film industry, which relies on those regional actors that have ‘made good’ in the bigger film markets, returning and showing their faith in the local industry.
Susan, a 65-year-old Beiruti, saves an undocumented Sudanese immigrant, Osmane, from a street mugging. Despite their age difference, background and social standing, the two develop a friendship and fall in love.
Her conservative adult children and well-meaning friends are horrified, whilst their growing friendship and romance is easily accepted amongst their working-class friends and the more impoverished local café owners.
Principal filming was originally planned for Lebanon in 2025, but the escalating violence meant the production had to be shifted predominantly to France and Qatar, with some local Beirut locations.
These onerous circumstances, rather than detrimentally affecting the film, have actually enhanced it, giving the background a grungy, bleached-out aura and bringing the main characters to the foreground, bathing them in a vibrant haloed outline, making them pop from the screen.
Through clever editing, backdrop selections and rear projection, these techniques used to simulate Lebanon, have given it a surreal, nostalgic ambience.
The at times stilted acting, emphasise the characters’ awkwardness as they learn how to interact with each other, navigating through their way through uncharted waters in a very foreign environment.
Unstable employment and insecurity are feelings the undocumented Osmane is probably used to, though the allusions to Susan’s Palestinian heritage is an indication that even she occasionally feels she doesn’t belong in her own home.
This is an interesting film in good ways. An exploration of isolation even in the most crowded of cities. A reflection on stereotyping, prejudice, acceptance and rejection amidst the wonderful chaos that is modern day Lebanon.
ONLY REBELS WIN is a brave film that tackles some tricky topics in a light yet earnest manner.
Make no mistake about it, this is Hiam’s film, though ably supported by a solid cast of veterans and relative newcomers, like Mahamat Amine Benrachid as Osmane.
And finally, anyone who has ever sat through an introduction to film theory of any sorts, will enjoy the cheeky reference to one of the most taught film theories ever.
This is a film that has remarkably stayed with me for a few weeks, which I didn’t expect – a weird but good sensation.
Ed Hanna, August 2026
