A visual from "Beirut Sonder Stories" on Instagram. (Credit: Screenshot from Instagram account @beirutsonderstories)
Moustapha Ghabris has a keen eye for capturing random passers-by, and a profound sense of humanity that fosters sincere confidence, akin to those shared among friends.
Remarkably, within just six months and 37 posts, over 14,000 followers await his Instagram account, Beirut Sonders Stories, eagerly anticipating those “minutes of truth” that deliver intense emotions.
For fellow Beirut enthusiasts, these fleeting encounters are precious gems deserving repeated viewing, brimming with nuanced layers of sensitivity and emotion.
In front of his camera, Ghabris captures the essence of moments and puts it together in a careful, heartfelt montage.
Approaching strangers with respect and, somehow instinctively, he asks questions that lead to emotional conversations.
“Everyone in this world has a story, a pain, a passion, and a range of emotions” Ghabris said. “People walking by, be they salespeople, a woman on a bench, an old tailor, a child by the sea [are] just like me.”
While reading John Koenig’s “The Obscure Dictionary of Sorrow,” Ghabris realized the importance of different feelings and experiences shared by everyone.
Through his personal and professional journey, he came to appreciate the significance of human connection and the artistic possibilities it offers.
Moustapha Ghabris, video artist and storyteller. (Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
The power of images
Born in Saudi Arabia to Lebanese parents, Ghabris has spent part of his life there, always anticipating the day he would “find his roots.” He cherishes the enriching diversity of cultures he has experienced, shaping him into the person he is today.
As he reflects on his childhood, he recalls being a nerdy kid, excelling in academics.
Despite dreams of pursuing a career as a renowned doctor or successful engineer, he couldn’t ignore his passion for cinema and the desire to become a director.
At the age of 14, he shot his first short film using his mobile phone.
Having completed radio and television studies at the Lebanese International University (LIU), Ghabris emerged as a skilled videographer, graphic designer and editor.
While teaching classes, often to older students with hearing impairments, he found human stories taking shape in his mind.
His work with Talpa Middle East, the producers of The Voice, brought him in contact with candidates, allowing him to listen to their stories and report on them, further honing his storytelling skills.
He also worked with the World Food Organization, which allowed him to see stories even clearer.
In 2018, he stepped away from his “vocation” by taking up a graphic designer position for Al Jadeed Television.
“It was an enriching professional experience,” Ghabris said. “But I hate routine.”
Seeking an escape from the monotony, Ghabris roamed around Beirut and its revered corniche, his mind brimming with stories.
‘Perfect strangers’
“I love this place [the corniche], which brings together people from all walks of life, of different ages, backgrounds, cultures and profiles,” he said. In what he describes as his “comfort zone,” Ghabris is not afraid to approach these perfect strangers, find their vulnerability and turn it into something beautiful and sincere.
“In general, they all begin by discussing the country and its issues, but I aim to delve deeper,” he said. “I want to bring out the imperfections, the emotions.”
“Each of them has moved me in a unique way, each with its own narrative and experience,” Ghabris said. “I particularly appreciate older people.”
“Having lived through life, they are like open books, often more talkative than younger people because they have significant stories to share,” he added.
In this vibrant collection of portraits, there are Mariam, Ali, Ahmad, Carla, Jad, Claudette, Rafi, Maha, Roy, Oum Said, Faraj, Hind, Elie and others who grace the posts on his @beirutsonderstories account.
Among them are accident victims, a woman who bravely overcame cancer, another who lost her son in a car accident, a blind violinist and a cobbler.
None of his encounters were planned; they unfolded spontaneously, and each, almost miraculously, shares a story that is simultaneously simple and extraordinary.
The one he finds himself revisiting the most, perhaps even favoring a bit, is the video and story of an elderly man, Georges, in search of his first love.
Maintaining a consistent visual identity, with images and colors that evoke a warm and tender atmosphere, Ghabris stirs in his followers a nostalgia for a bygone era he never experienced, evoking sincere tears and smiles, and leaving us longing for even more.
This article was originally published in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translated by Sahar Ghoussoub.