EPISODE 001
LEBANON — RAFIK AL HARIRI AIRPORT
It’s midday. The harsh summer sun blazes down calling forth heat shimmers. Traffic and the sound of horns pollute the entrance to the airport. Taxi drivers stand with their backs laid on their cars waving down arrivals asking whether or not they need a ride. Some take their offer, while others shake their heads or raise their palms, a clear rejection.
Amir Haddad walks out of the airport. He was 27 when he left Lebanon. Three years and a military haircut later, Amir returns with a backpack and a big duffle bag. He stops and stands as other arrivals walk past him; sets the bag between his feet, and pulls out his phone. Amir dials a number then brings the mobile to his ear.
AMIR: Hey, it’s me… Yeah, I just landed… Thanks… I’ll make sure to be there bright and early tomorrow morning… Yeah… See you then… Bye.
A crooked smile appears on his face. He puts his mobile back in his pocket and picks up the duffle bag. Amir shakes his head and chuckles.
AMIR: Here goes nothing.
BEIRUT — J&R STUDIOS — JAD’S OFFICE
Jad Njeim sits behind his desk, facing the window. His piercing blue eyes scan the horizon. He’s an unconventionally handsome 60-year-old man with curly graying hair and a matching trimmed beard. Despite being the CEO and co-founder of J&R Studios, he wears a sky blue button-down shirt with rolled up sleeves, and fitted black jeans.
Jad’s office is minimalistic, organized: only a few posters hang on the walls near a small shelf with a couple of books. A laptop sits on the desk, next to it is a stack of scripts, Jad’s mobile phone, and a family portrait in a simple black frame.
A young man sits in the chair across from Jad’s desk. His knee bobs up and down.
YOUNG MAN: Dad?
Jad does not respond. [add a bit more here]
YOUNG MAN: Dad, is everything ok?
Jad snaps out of his daze and turns to face his son. He lays his elbows on the desk and interlocks his fingers.
JAD: We’re not at a good place, JJ. The company… is not at a good place. “Until Morning,” barely recouped its budget.
JJ looks down and shakes his head. [maybe actually add more here instead of Damn it.]
After a breath, he lifts his head and meets his father’s gaze. JJ looks young for his age, having just turned 30. He’s a mix of his mother and father. Structurally, he has his dad’s curly hair and sharp features, though JJ’s are a touch softer. His hazel eyes, however, are a carbon copy of his mother’s. JJ dons an auburn mullet, and an earring in each ear.
JJ: Dad, I -
JAD: No excuses, JJ. You greenlit the film despite all my concerns. I told you productions like this might put the entire company at risk, and here we are facing the consequences. We have to find a way to make up for what we lost.
JJ: It was a solid film. I believed in it and the director.
JJ slightly raises his voice, the seed of frustration breaking open. By giving into his emotions, he lost sight of the fact that his father and the CEO of J&R Studios sits before him.
JJ: Critics loved it. Many said it has potential to be Lebanon’s submission for next year’s Oscars. I know you know that counts for something.
JAD: Critics and the Oscars don’t matter if we’re not making money, JJ.
JJ: Now you sound like him.
Jad glares at JJ, who cowers back in his chair knowing fully well he crossed the one line he should never cross.
JAD: You know damn well that I’m nothing like that man. I pride myself for being a supporter of independent Lebanese filmmakers, but there needs to be a balance. We can’t alienate our audience.
JJ: But dad-
Jad raises his palm cutting JJ off.
JAD: If you can’t find a way to pivot or build a stricter vetting process, then I’ll find someone else who will.
JJ furrows his brow in disbelief. Was his father threatening him or was there something else going on?
BEIRUT — HADDAD MEDIA — CONFERENCE ROOM
The conference room is narrow and long, with a rectangular table in the center. Glass walls encompass it, with one side overlooking the city.
George Haddad, a typical company man in a three-piece suit, sits at the head of the table. George’s slicked back salt and pepper hair and tidy gray beard highlight his stern eyes. Despite holding a domineering and intimidating energy about him, the creases in his forehead and slightly dark circles around his eyes are evidence of how hard the journey has been.
George is the CEO and founder of Haddad Media, an entertainment media empire. He inherited the company from his father 40 years ago. It was nothing but a chain of movie theaters back then, and he was only 20, when he had to take over.
To George’s right sits his son Marwan, a dapper soon-to-be 35-year-old James Bond type, with a strong aura much like his father’s. Across from Marwan sits Sasha, his sister. At 25, she’s the youngest yet one of the most fearless at the table. She dons a pixie haircut with platinum tips, and wears a bold indigo pant suit.
Other board members fill the remaining seats at the table, including one other woman aside from Sasha.
GEORGE: Where are we in terms of post-production on the film?
MARWAN: Last I checked they’re finalizing coloring after adding in all the SFX and CGI.
SASHA: Will we have enough to release a trailer and begin marketing the premiere? I want us to be able to get that going as soon as possible.
MARWAN: I can ask, but I’m certain that shouldn’t be a problem.
One of the board members, Youssef, an older man around the age of George, perhaps a bit older, clears his throat as he leans onto the table.
YOUSSEF: What are the projections in terms of the box office? How confident are we that this is going to give us a good return? We need a hit, especially after J&R’s latest flop.
GEORGE: Don’t worry about that Youssef, we are quite confident. The film stars four A-Listers: two from here, and two from Syria. There’s no doubt it’s going to be a summer blockbuster.
Lilliane, the woman sitting across from Youssef, joins in the conversation.
LILLIANE: While I appreciate your confidence, movie theater attendance hasn’t been the greatest, especially since COVID. Our concern is justifiable, George.
GEORGE: Your concerns are valid, but again, as I told you, we are very confident that this film is going to bring people back to movie theaters.
YOUSSEF: But you know as well as anyone that there’s never a guarantee in this business, and -
Marwan cuts Youssef off, his voice stern.
MARWAN: With all due respect, you haven’t seen what I’ve had the privilege to see. The film is unlike anything this country has seen before.
A tense silence fills the room. George surveils the room, then leans forward, placing his elbows on the table and interlocking his fingers, his domineering aura pulsing throughout the room.
GEORGE: Are we good to move on to discussing the premiere?
Intimidated, Youssef and Lilliane nod, falling back in line with George.
GEORGE: Good.
DOWNTOWN BEIRUT — AMIR’S APARTMEN
Amir opens the door to his apartment. He exhales, exhaustion washing over him.
Traffic was a killer.
He flicks the light switch on and the apartment lights flicker for a moment, then stabilize. The apartment is just as he left it three years ago: a living, breathing collage of bohemian and antique Lebanese treasures. Each piece embracing its own history, like they’d traveled a long way to end up right here in this space. The only difference is how dusty it’s gotten.
The wooden coffee table, worn and nicked from years of being handed down and sold off, sits near an old armchair with faded embroidery.
AMIR: Home sweet home.
Amir’s smile fights back against his exhausted state.
AMIR: Good to be back.
Amir closes the door and walks to his bedroom, his bags forcing him to squeeze through the threshold. He drops them near the bed, grabs his mobile and starts playing the latest Stray Kids album. Nothing like feel good K-Pop music.
Amir unzips the duffle bag and lays his clothes on the bed in small vertical piles, while singing along and dancing to the music.
A knock on the door interrupts him. He pauses the music and furrows his brow. Nobody should know he is back. Amir reaches the door.
AMIR: Who is it?
WOMAN’S VOICE: Bitch, open the door.
Amir immediately rolls his eyes and opens the door. If her demand wasn’t recognizable enough, her appearance definitely was. Bushy curly hair, three earrings on one ear and one hanging on the other. Eclectic clothing attires that were taken straight of the 1960’s. A whiskey bottle in her right hand.
AMIR: How the hell did you know I’m back, Samira?
Samira glares at Amir, slightly opens her mouth and shakes her head. Is he for real?
J&R STUDIOS — JAD’S OFFICE
JJ leans forward towards Jad’s desk, brow still furrowed.
JJ: What the hell is that supposed to mean?
JAD: You know exactly what it means. The risk we took cost us more than it should have. We can’t wait around while our competition overtakes what we’ve been trying so hard to achieve. You need to fix this.
JJ: So, that’s it? It’s all about the competition?
Jad slams his fist on his desk.
JAD: Of course it’s about the competition! What the hell do you think this business is all about, son?
JJ: When you established this department for me, this expansion on J&R Studios, we both knew that I wanted to focus more on the artistic aspects of the industry. To go back to the basics and deliver films that didn’t bend the knee to the market. To focus on the storytelling, and not the spectacle.
JAD: JJ, I understand that, but something’s got to give. You can’t expect the company board to accept losing on investment.
JJ shakes his head, frustration boiling inside him.
JJ: Well then, what do you propose we do? Do you want to shut down the department?
JAD: Of course not. But I think we need to reevaluate, and perhaps even take it in a new direction. Perhaps even bring in someone who can help you do that.
JJ: What? Dad, I can do this on my own.
JAD: JJ, I don’t think you can. You’re too close to this and we need someone who can help ground you when your idealism gets in the way.
JJ tilts his head down and stares at the floor beneath him, visibly hurt.
JJ: So, you don’t trust me…
JAD: It’s not a matter of trust. It’s a matter of wanting you and this department to reach its full potential. The best way to do that, is to bring in someone who can help.
JJ shakes his head, then closes his eyes. [check if more here]
JJ: You’re not even giving the film a chance. Word-of-mouth will give you what you want. Can we please give it time before we do anything?
JAD: We need a win, JJ. Haddad Media is planning their next release, and I’m certain they’re going to go out of their way to upstage us, and use the situation we are in to their advantage. We can’t let them do that. We have to get ahead of it.
JJ: And this is how you want to do it? Cripple my vision and bring in some stranger?
JAD: Who said anything about them being a stranger?
JJ’s brow arches as he shoots Jad a quizzical look. [check if add more here]
AMIR’S APARTMENT
Samira shakes her head then pushes past Amir into the apartment.
SAMIRA: Usually if your best friend decides to come back home, they’d let you know beforehand. I guess that doesn’t apply to us?
AMIR: You didn’t answer my question…
Amir closes the door.
SAMIRA: You didn’t answer mine.
Samira sets the whiskey bottle on the table in the living room.
AMIR: Samira, what are you doing here?
SAMIRA: Amir…
Amir narrows his eyes. He knows Samira’s mocking tone all too well.
SAMIRA: Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?
AMIR: I didn’t tell anyone I was coming back.
SAMIRA: I’m not anyone.
Samira crosses her arms.
Amir sighs, then softly smiles. A smile sprinkled with guilt.
AMIR: Ok, you’re right. I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but honestly it happened really fast. I wasn’t expecting to come back, hell I wasn’t even thinking about it after everything that happened with my family.
SAMIRA: Have you seen them yet?
AMIR: I’m sure they’re busy preparing for some new release or something. You know how dad is.
SAMIRA: What about your mom?
Amir pauses and looks away from Samira. His mom was a sore spot, so any mention of her always stung.
AMIR: No, I haven’t. Not sure I will.
SAMIRA: She was devastated when you left, you know that right?
AMIR: She sure had a way of showing it. Anyway, can we change the subject?
Samira nods.
SAMIRA: Drink?
AMIR: God, yes. You know where the cups are.
Samira walks to the kitchen and grabs two glasses, then heads back to the living room. She hands Amir a glass with whiskey in it.
SAMIRA: So, are you gonna tell me what brought you back, or do I have to pull it out of you?
Amir is about to answer, when his mobile rings.
AMIR: One sec. I have to take this.
Samira raises an eyebrow as he answers the call.
AMIR: Hello? Yes, this is he… Right now? Sure, no problem at all… You can tell him that I’ll be there as soon as possible… See you then.
Amir hangs up the call then meets Samira’s inquisitive gaze.
SAMIRA: Amir… What aren’t you telling me?
Amir, still holding Samira’s gaze, slowly smirks.
HADDAD MEDIA — GEORGE’S OFFICE
George sits at his desk, elbow on his chair’s armrest. He massages his forehead just above the brow. Marwan walks into the office and immediately notices, a look of concern washing over his face.
MARWAN: Dad, you ok? I can come back later.
GEORGE: No, it’s alright. Just a minor headache.
George lifts his head and meets his son’s eyes.
GEORGE: What’s up?
MARWAN: I wanted to check back in with you about the meeting earlier. Is the board going to be a problem?
GEORGE: I don’t suspect they will, and if I get a whiff that it might head in that direction, I’ll make sure to take care of it.
Marwan nods, as George turns towards the window, almost in a daze.
MARWAN: You’re sure you’re ok?
GEORGE: I’m fine.
MARWAN: Maybe you should just head home. I can hold down the fort for the rest of the day. I’m sure it’ll make mom happy.
GEORGE: Maybe I will. I’ll let you know if I do.
MARWAN: Alright.
Marwan turns towards the door and opens it. He looks back towards George who is, once again, staring out the window. Marwan turns towards the office door but not before looking back once more at his father. He closes the door behind him, leaving George alone in the office.
J&R STUDIOS — JAD’S OFFICE
JJ stands, frustration boiling over. He paces, stopping behind the chair he was sitting in only moments before.
JAD: I never said I’m bringing in a stranger. In fact, I think you two will work wonderfully together.
JJ: Dad, what are you talking about?
JAD: Look you’re just going to have to trust me. I’m doing what’s best for J&R Studios.
JJ: Why didn’t you discuss this with me first?
JAD: Discuss it with you? Son, I’m the CEO of J&R Studios. I don’t have to discuss anything with you, even if it has to do with your department. I’ve made my decision and it’s final.
JJ: Dad -
JAD: Enough, JJ! Either calmly sit back down, or you can go back to your office.
JJ shakes his head, then turns towards the door. He reaches out to the door handle, pauses, then turns to face his father.
JJ: You know dad, the day you approved my pitch for the Indie Film & Story Development department… it was one of the best days of my life. I’m sorry if I let you down.
JAD: JJ, you haven’t let me down, but I need to do what’s best for the company.
JJ: And this is what’s best for the company? Sidelining me?
JAD: For the hundredth time JJ, I’m not sidelining you. I’m bringing in someone who’s going to help you. Work beside you. Co-captain this ship of yours so that it doesn’t drown and take the entire company down with it.
JJ: Well, whoever you’ve brought in, let’s just hope we can trust them enough to do that.
A knock on the door sounds. JJ steps aside and opens the door, eyes widening at the person standing on the other side.
What the hell? [Make it more prose]
JAD: Perfect timing, we were just talking about you.
JJ glares his father, his face reddening, then turns to meet the eyes of the person standing in front of him with a smile on his face:
Amir.
END OF EPISODE 001
NEXT ON THE SCRIPTS WE INHERIT
BEIRUT — BOOKS & BEANS CAFE
Marwan sits across from Sasha at a cafe. He leans in, voice almost a whisper.
MARWAN: I’m worried about dad. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know something’s off.
Sasha tilts her head, concern evident on her face.
J&R STUDIOS — MARKETING DEPARTMENT
Jess (JJ’s sister) and a man her age scroll through social media. Negative criticism and hate consuming the online discourse.
JESS: Damn it.
MAN: This isn’t going to help your brother’s cause is it?
J&R STUDIOS — JAD’S OFFICE
Jad smiles as he addresses Amir.
JAD: You’ll be working alongside JJ, helping him fine-tune and reassess the department I set up for him.
JJ: Like hell he will.
Amir turns towards JJ, brows furrowed in confusion as JJ stares down his father with no sign of backing down.