Coastal Carolina University's War & Society Film series will show the film "West Beirut" on Tuesday, March 21, at 5 p.m. in the Coastal Theater. The movie theater (Room A-110) is located in the Lib Jackson Student Union building. This event is free and open to the public, and no ticket is required.

"West Beirut" (1998) is a Lebanese drama set in 1975 as Beirut is split into two factions during the war between the Christian militia and Lebanese Muslims. A young teenage boy named Terek is excited about no longer needing to attend school because of the war, so he and his friends Omas and May journey through the ruins of the city on excursions and shoot short films of the turmoil surrounding them. Meanwhile, Terek's parents fight about whether to stay in their home or flee because of the war.

Following the presentation of the film, Samih Baalbaki, a native and former resident of Beirut, will provide the historical and political context of the film through a discussion. Baalbaki will discuss his own personal experiences as well as deliberate on Lebanon, Beirut and the Lebanese civil war.

Baalbaki is a renowned speaker on the Middle East. He was born and raised in Lebanon and spent the past 17 years of his career as a legal consultant in the Middle East before retiring to the U.S. in early 2012. Baalbaki has explored more than 20 countries in the Middle East where he gained insight into the dynamics of the regions through observing business, social and religious aspects of day-to-day life.

The Lib Jackson Student Union building is located at 106 Spadoni Park Circle on the main Conway campus.