The Portland EcoFilm Festival’s
Global Ecological Cinema Podcast
Episode Three: AL BASATEEN (THE ORCHARDS)
Featured Guest: Antoine Chapon | Release Date: March 25, 2026
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We speak with Antoine Chapon, a French filmmaker who collaborated with former residents of Damascus, Syriah's Basateen al-Razi neighborhood to share their memories and perspectives, and reimagine the future of the land they once called home. Antoine's film, AL BASATEEN (THE ORCHARDS) is an official selection in our 2026 festival.
Until recently, Basateen al-Razi was home to some of the oldest orchards in the world. In 2015, residents were informed that the area had been targeted for redevelopment. Many were given less than two months to leave their homes, and most of them never received any form of compensation.
Still from AL BASATEEN (THE ORCHARDS)
The homes were destroyed, and so were the ancient orchards. The stated reason for the mass displacement was the construction of Marota City, a shiny new urban development project scheduled to contain luxury homes, skyscrapers, and commercial centers.
But according to our guest —and many others—an underlying reason for the displacement was revenge.
During the Syrian Revolution, the beloved trees, once treasured for fruit and shade, provided tactical cover, making Basateen al-Razi a center of strong resistance to the now former dictator, Bashar al-Assad.
Still from AL BASATEEN (THE ORCHARDS)
We discuss the use of CGI and VFX by Antoine and his collaborators to tell a story of collective rebellion and loss, the old, troubling relationship between authoritarianism and urban planning, ecological cinema as counter-propaganda, and much more.
Films Recommended and Mentioned
Antoine gives the following film recommendations relevant to our conversation:
TAMING THE GARDEN (2021 | Dir. Salomé Jashi)
STILL RECORDING (2018 | Dir. Saeed Al Batal, Ghiath Ayoub)
TASTE OF CEMENT (2017 | Dir. Ziad Kalthoum)
BAYIT (HOUSE or A HOUSE IN JERUSALEM) (1980 | Dir. Amos Gitai)
Also discussed in relation to the theme of community destroyed by wickedness:
DOGVILLE (2004 | Dir. Lars von Trier)
TAMING THE GARDEN and DOGVILLE are available to rent at the world’s best video store, Movie Madness, in Portland, Oregon.
Antoine Chapon
Director, AL BASATEEN (THE ORCHARDS)
AL BASATEEN is featured in our EXPANSIVE ECOLOGICAL IMAGINATION 1 program on March 26, 2026 at the Hollywood Theatre (sponsored by SOLVE).
Our theme music is from the song “Earth Worship” by the amazing band, Rubblebucket.
Our podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by our festival director, Rozzell Medina.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this program are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Film Forever Northwest or its affiliates.