User Reviews

Great performances and direction in this story of friendship and family. The heart of the movie is the newfound friendship between Nadine and Kirsten, which feels just right; natural and real where other stories might force in artificial drama. Likewise the real drama of the film with Nadine's abusive husband also comes across in a matter of fact, naturalistic tone that appealed to me. The cinematography is really nice and the story takes unexpected turns. Recommend.

Wow, was not sure what to expect. This is just a well made movie. Powerful story of friendship. Well acted by the principals. It weaves a story among two cultures and the boundaries of friendship. Wonderful movie. Worth a watch for sure if you simply want a well told story of friendship.

I was hoping to get to see this film at the Woods Hole FIlm Festival but missed it. Luckily, had a chance to see this amazing debut film! It's powerful, female-driven, with great performances from the lead actors, and deals with domestic abuse in what could be called a "thriller" way. The backdrop of Lebanon is utterly stunning and cinematic, and the male and female roles are so well balanced. With grit and nuance, the director finds a way to even bring moments of humor into the film, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Check this one out!

Very interesting and well made independent feature. There is clear vision here from Director Noor Gharzeddine, from how she orchestrates the scenes and to the terrific performances she has drawn from the actors. Visually it's very well thought out and beautiful, and ultimately the dark humour works incredibly well with the over all tension the rest of the film holds.

Beautiful to look at, well acted and a compelling story. This one kept me glued to the screen throughout. Thought it handled the transitions from drama to comedy well. Really like the relationship between the two women. It felt geniuine and was touching. Plus it was really cool to get another look into a culture that I am very unfamiliar with but wrapped in a story that was very accessible.

This is an example of an independent film that shows masterful, high quality in all aspects of the production. It provides a unique look at a culture most will not be familiar with. Discovering that it was the director's first film was even more interesting. If you are a fan of drama films with some darker comedy sprinkled in - this is a movie you should watch.

I see so few films that honestly and intelligently depict female friendship, that when I do I want to shout it out to everyone! This film is so well done. It elicits your sympathy without ever pandering. Just wonderful writing and acting. And it deals with an East meets West culture clash in a very realistic way. I'll go so as far as to say it's my favorite Lebanese film since the Oscar nominated Capernaum. I strongly recommend this film!

ARE YOU GLAD I'M HERE Is a film about spousal abuse in a country where men dominated for years. It is about a friendship between two neighbors, Kirsten, an American teacher, and Nadine, a Lebanese mother constantly abused by her husband. It is about two cultures where women's abuse knows no boundaries. Kirsten tries to convince Nadine, who has an eleven-year-old son, to leave her husband, but in Lebanon, it is not that easy. Nadine is trapped; she cannot file for divorce without losing everything, but there was no law against defending herself. ARE YOU GLAD I'M HERE is an intense drama with Lebanese humor, a mix of sarcasm and painful experiences, sprinkled from beginning to end. Director Noor Gharzeddine is clearly in command. The setups of her scenes are very impressive. There is no fast cutting. Many wide-angle shots staged effectively while the action takes place in the background. I loved everything about, ARE YOU GLAD I'M HERE, an independent film made in Lebanon with its Lebanese sounds, beauty, love, and humor. I highly recommend it on many levels. I can hardly wait for Noor's next movie.

This beautiful intimate film takes you inside the lives and friendship of two women in Lebanon. Well acted, sharply written and precisely shot, I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship, how they bring out the best in each other to help each other grow. I highly recommend!

I thought the acting was great and I really enjoyed the two females leads. The story was very compelling throughout. I enjoyed seeing the different cultures and how it was explored through the relationship between the two women. Definitely a film worth the watch.

ARE YOU GLAD I'M HERE is a great story about friendship across cultures. It was quite entertaining with many quirky moments. Knowing first hand how these cultures vastly differs, I found this very entertaining and beautiful at the same time. The story is well written, the cast did a super job and the locations were fabulous as well. This is a bit different to many of the films I have recently watched and was a pleasant change.

Are You Glad I'm Here is a new release that I found on Amazon Prime. I did some quick Googling and found out that it was a well reviewed indie film that did well on the film festival circuit, so I decided to give it a shot and I'm glad I did. I think we'll all admit that sometimes we can be hesitant to watch an indie film because we know that they don't have the advantages of Hollywood films that have a big budget or A list actors, but this film was a good reminder of the really different stories and perspectives that they can bring. I don't think I've ever watched a film that took place in Lebanon or at least not one that really delved into the culture, which I found interesting. There's some beautiful cinematography that shows off the location as well, including some really pretty aerial shots. The film's story and acting are also both really good, particularly for an indie, and let's be honest, that's what really counts in a film. So if you're looking for a unique film, I'd recommend giving this little indie find a shot.

A very sincere, unique and emotionally compelling story that leaves a deep impression on the heart. The film carefully touches on the complexities of friendships, marriages, cultures and life, in such a powerful way that is truly worthy of one's attention. Stories like these are of vital importance to the culture of storytelling in films, further giving light and understanding to such issues that are played out in this dramatic masterpiece. Very well done. Favorably recommended.

I love films that have adventure plots. This film also incorporates two cultures and people, where we can get a view into stereotypes of personalities and awareness and appreciation for other cultures. Enjoyable fun friendship film.

Shot in Lebanon, Noor Gharzeddine's terrific "Are You Glad I'm Here" offers an inspired reimagining of the familiar and enduring power of female friendships. Its aspirational blending of the tenets of two very different cultures empowers a truly unique depth of storytelling not always shared by its cinematic peers operating in like-minded spaces.

Kirsten leaves the creature comforts of the United States to teach English in Beirut. There she meets and becomes fast friends with new neighbor Nadine. A story that initially introduces the tonal comforts of a budding friendship gets conspicuously darker when Kirsten notices bruises on Nadine, inflicted upon her by abusive husband Pierre. "Are You Glad I'm Here" then begins its masterful push-and-pull between Nadine's culturally engrained dedication as a mother and wife, and Kirsten's steadily escalating pleas imploring Nadine to find her way out of an increasingly brutal marriage.

Both the direction and the writing here expertly sell the authenticity of the growing friendship between these women of geographically and culturally disparate origins (the two female leads are impeccably cast, too). Yet the film's "buddy picture" foundations also allow for elements of a thriller to take shape, spinning forward in a way that's not completely dissimilar to the "Thelma and Louise" sort of vehicle we simply don't see enough of in contemporary cinema. Throughout its evolving path, "Are You Glad I'm Here" also shows a unique humor, and a deftly-demonstrated ability to touch on various stereotypes arising from two decidedly different worlds. Highly, highly recommended.

Shot in Lebanon, Noor Gharzeddine's terrific "Are You Glad I'm Here" takes you into the world of Lebanon one we don't get to see and understand from a female perspective! This beautifully crafted film about the enduring power of female friendships. I LOVED the world and the ability to the blending of the tenets of two very different cultures, interesting storytelling. We don't get to see the culture clashes often enough, the struggles of women in this arena and the drama and humor that is part of life. A really good watch.

Two cultures are juxtaposed in this film, and I liked how they were represented fairly, one wasn't held up as superior to the other, and there wasn't a convenient solution to conflicting values. The film felt very authentic, from it's strong acting to it's raw (but beautiful) camera style. The story was compelling and effectively makes you feel conflicted and emotional. And I appreciated that it explores the human need for purpose and independence.

Are You Glad I'm Here is a solid indie drama. Director Noor Gharzeddine did a great job pulling the best performances out of her actors. Set in Lebanon, we ecounter the lives of a young American exchange teacher (Tess Harrison) who befriends a local housewife and mother of one (Marwa Khalal). It's the eventual meeting of Marwa's husband that sets this movie off course. There were a lot of comedic moments as well. The music, editing, & camera work were all on point.

I enjoyed the Director's style and choices made in telling the story. The characters are well development and the dialogue is enjoyable. Two thumps ups.

Can Kirsten save Nadine? The question begs an answer in this excellent independent drama/thriller. Touches of humor break the ratcheting tension of "Are you Glad I'm Here", but the core of this piece lies in the relationship between the two female leads. No spoilers here. Recommended!

The characters are so real and 3 dimensional, the filming, camera work and lighting are superb in day time and nigh-time, and the story 3 dimensional. Bravo

Different cultures collide in this indie gem about two women from different countries that become fast friends. Kirsten is an American teaching English in Beirut. Nadine is her battered and abused neighbor. It underscores the vast difference in cultural upbringing in a way that makes this film very entertaining. Outstanding performance by all cast as well.

How to deal with men that beat the wifes/girlfriends,/ mums /daughters?

well have a look at this independent flick about one independent american woman and one who is not...at all!! its an arabic woman living in a arabic country, with arabic costumes, and arabic traditions, that breaks one of the most common human laws.. think the ten commandments, and youll figure out.

its a lovely dynamic, an easy peasy story, the acting are great on the whole cast, its a vivid score, and a wonderfully executed filmography thats very well edited, and the pace makes you think... is it over allready?

its not only the twist that make this film peerworthy, its the darn beautiful women actresses that really spice the flavour of this tea time meal, its a recommend from the grumpy old man

This wonderful gem of an indie film hit all the right notes. It looked good, the story was good (well written) and the acting was on point! Director Noor Gharzeddine does a wonderful job telling this story. The film keeps you well engaged from beginning to end. I enjoyed the two strong female actors. They were so good. They were very compelling! This is a film I gladly give a thumbs up to see!!