Tideline (2004)
A son's grief becomes a journey into war-torn Lebanon in Wajdi Mouawad's poetic and deeply personal debut film.
Tideline - Movie Information
- Original Title: Littoral
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Wajdi Mouawad
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 13, 2004 (Canada)
- Alternative Titles: الشاطئ (LB)
- Production Countries: Canada, France
Tideline - Plot
His father's untimely death sends young Wahab into an intense turmoil. Shaken by family feuds and what he discovers, he decides to bury his father in his native Lebanon. But the idea will prove no less trying in a country scarred by war where a new corpse is one too many.
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Tideline - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Wajdi Mouawad
Main Cast
- Steve Laplante
- Gilles Renaud
- David Boutin
- Isabelle Leblanc
Writers
- Wajdi Mouawad
- Pascal Sanchez
Producers
- Brigitte Germain
Tideline - FAQs
What is Tideline about?
Tideline follows Wahab, a young man thrown into turmoil after his father's sudden death. Determined to honor his father by burying him in Lebanon, Wahab embarks on a deeply personal journey through a country still bearing the scars of war, where grief, identity, and memory collide in unexpected ways.
Who directed Tideline?
Tideline was directed by Wajdi Mouawad, the acclaimed Lebanese-Canadian playwright and director. The film is an adaptation of his celebrated stage play Littoral, which earned widespread recognition across the French-speaking world for its poetic exploration of war, loss, and belonging.
Is Tideline based on a true story?
Tideline is not based on a specific true story, but it draws deeply from Wajdi Mouawad's own experiences as a Lebanese-born artist who grew up in exile. The film reflects the collective trauma of the Lebanese Civil War and the universal struggle of diaspora communities grappling with roots and identity.
Who are the main actors in Tideline?
The cast of Tideline features Steve Laplante as Wahab, the young man at the heart of the story, alongside Gilles Renaud as his father, David Boutin as Sabbé, and Isabelle Leblanc. Laplante carries much of the film's emotional weight in a quietly powerful central performance.
What is the connection between Tideline and the stage play?
Tideline is Wajdi Mouawad's film adaptation of his own celebrated stage play Littoral, first performed in 1997. The play became a landmark of contemporary French-language theatre, and the film preserves much of its poetic, surreal quality while translating the story's emotional landscape to the screen.
When was Tideline released?
Tideline had its release in Canada on September 13, 2004. The film premiered as part of the French-language cinema circuit and went on to reach audiences in France and other French-speaking territories, building on the international reputation of Mouawad's original stage production.
What language is Tideline in?
Tideline is a French-language film. It was produced as a Canada-France co-production, reflecting Wajdi Mouawad's deep ties to both the Québécois cultural scene and the broader French-speaking world. Viewers who enjoy French-language cinema will find it a richly rewarding and emotionally resonant experience.
What films are similar to Tideline?
If Tideline moved you, you might also appreciate The Attack (2012), Wajib (2017), and Adú (2020), all of which explore displacement, identity, and the human cost of conflict. Water and Fire (2013) and For My Country (2023) offer similarly intimate portrayals of lives shaped by war and loss.
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