Description
Object description
Amateur film by unknown cameraman (possibly the local manager of the Iraq Petroleum Company) records scenes of political unrest in Beirut (French Mandates of Lebanon and Syria), and a major military parade by the Army of the Levant, prior to the British and Allied attack (Operation Exporter) on Vichy forces in Syria in 1941, plus unidentified though evocative views of young men and women (presumably French) relaxing by the coast and on horseback in pre-war Lebanon.
Full description
Reel 1: Various scenes in city with mosque and hilly backdrop (Beirut or Damascus). Interior shots of a legislative assembly, where Arabs dressed in either traditional or western suits, with or without fezzes, are engaged in debate and subsequent voting and vote counting, watched by spectators from the balcony, including an elegantly dressed lady. Crowds of local Arabs press against railings outside the legislature building before large cars arrive, while French police or soldiers mounted on white horses wait on guard. Sign on large building reads "Alimentation Générale" (General Store) [confirming location is one or other of the League of Nations mandates adminstered by the French during the interwar period, ie Syria or Lebanon]. Several Arabs, well-dressed in western suits, stand outside in wintry garden smiling at the camera. French soldiers stand guard next to improvised barbed wire street-barrier structure, allowing Arabs temporary passage across. Other French soldiers stare at the camera. An Arab shopkeeper standing on a ladder finishes covering over the French translation beneath the line of Arabic which identifies his shop [presumably part of a coordinated nationalist, anti-French and pro-independence campaign]. A tall and distinctive obelisk with decorative details [recognisable]. French soldiers seated outside barracks, and manning a sandbag barrier, allowing Arabs to pass. Other French signs already covered, or still visible and revealing city as Beirut ("Beyrouth"), as in the case of Philippe Khair et Cie [industrial firm in Beirut, still operating in 2010]. Four French colonial Senegalese soldiers pass along street with French commander. Tree blossom, ie season now spring. Final section of film is extended coverage from privileged positions next to the grandstand of a major military review on a parade ground, with mountains in the background, by a wide variety of the component forces within France's Army of the Levant (L' Armée du Levant): French military officers and officials offer ceremonial welcome to local (Lebanese or Syrian) leading officials before the start of the parade; military band plays; French officers, flanked by a bearded patriarch (Maronite Christian ?), take the salute as the review begins; close-up view of the review stand, with French officials and local notables, and an elegantly dressed lady, facing the camera; press photographers covering the review; formation of five French biplanes flies overhead, repeatedly; Senegalese troops, followed by Annamite soldiers from Indochina wearing distinctive conical hats, mule transport column led by Senegalese soldiers, Arab camel corps (méharistes), open top cars, armoured cars firing, French Renault FT-17 light tanks (marked with heart insignia on rear), and Arab cavalry, preceding a final massed charge.
Full description
Reel 2: Seaside scenes on coast of Lebanon: young French woman swimming in sea (note indicates Chekka, Lebanon in 1937) and with male companion with fishing rod and emerging from beach cabin; dog chasing white geese, two men riding horses (partly in slow motion - note indicates Tripoli, Lebanon, 1936), man and woman playing ping-pong outdoors, two girls preparing flowers, older man in hammock rocked by girls, girl posing for the camera.
Physical description
16mm