: Instead of focusing solely on the violence of the Lebanese Civil War, the film highlights the "vivacity" of youth—dancing to 80s electropop and falling in love amidst the chaos.
: The cast, particularly Rim Turki (contemporary Maia) and Paloma Vauthier (Alex), are noted for their natural and moving portrayals of a complex mother-daughter relationship. Critic Perspectives Memory Box (2021)
The Lebanese film , directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, is a visually inventive exploration of how trauma and nostalgia pass between generations. The Story : Instead of focusing solely on the violence
The plot centers on three generations of women living in Montreal: Maia, her daughter Alex, and her mother Téta. Their lives are disrupted just before Christmas when a mysterious box arrives containing Maia’s diaries, tapes, and photos from 1980s Beirut. While Maia wants to keep the past buried, Alex secretly dives into the box, reimagining her mother’s life through the lens of modern digital media. The Story The plot centers on three generations
: Critics from Letterboxd and Film Inquiry praise the "scrapbook-style" storytelling, which uses graphics and mixed media (Super-8, 16mm, and smartphone filters) to bring old memories to life.
Memory Box turns its directors' personal archives into art - BFI
