Shadi Chaaban

History

Shadi Chaaban is a narrative focused cinematographer based in Brussels. Raised between Belgium and Lebanon, and a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory, his career took him on worldwide travels, working with Andrew Thomas Huang and Elia Suleiman. His first feature All This Victory premiered at the Venice 34th international film critics week, winning three awards including Best film. His second feature The Sea Ahead premiered in Cannes Directors Fortnight. Most recently, Warsha won Best Film at Sundance - He is currently in Post Production for his third feature “The Last Queen”, a period film shot in Algeria in co-production with Taj Intaj and Agat-Ex-Nihilo.

Movies

Warsha

Director of Photography

A Syrian migrant working as a crane operator in Beirut volunteers to cover a shift on one of the most dangerous cranes, where he is able to find his freedom.

The Last Queen

Director of Photography

1516, Legend has it that the king of Algiers had a wife named Zaphira. When the pirate Aroudj Barbarossa arrives to liberate the city from the Spaniards, he is determined to conquer Zaphira as well as the kingdom itself. But is Zaphira willing to let him, or is she plotting for herself?

All This Victory

Director of Photography

Lebanon, July 2006. War is raging between Hezbollah and Israel. During a 24h ceasefire, Marwan heads out in search of his father who refused to leave his Southern village. As the ceasefire is quickly broken, Marwan finds himself under the rain of bombs and takes shelter in a house with a group of elders. Suddenly, a group of Israeli soldiers enter the first floor. Trapped in the house and hostages of their own fears, the next three days will see the situation spiral out of control.

Phantom Valley

Director of Photography

In the desolate countryside, haunted by recurrent dreams, a young drifter finds himself at the borderlands between the living and the dead.

Dauði Maríu

Director of Photography

Forty-eight years after Marie's heart stopped beating, she learns she is about to die. The young Nico, Marie's young granddaughter, is subsequently exposed to the darker sides of her family.

White Noise

Director of Photography

Beirut, at night. Said begins his first shift as a security guard. His orders are clear: watch a bridge. However, in the heart of “the city that never dies”, the exercise is going to be more complicated than it seems.