In Tree of Hell, director Raed Zeno presents an allegory of war and destruction through the story of a single tree. The documentary, which won the special mention prize at Lebanon’s Reef in July, is now screening at Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival, which is running from Friday to Sunday at the Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Tree of Hell is set in the months following the outbreak of war in Gaza, when Israel began attacking areas in the south of Lebanon with white phosphorous munitions. The film begins with footage of such an attack, sent to Zeno by Hadi Awada, one of his friends who lives in the village of Kafr Kila.
Awada, a farmer and an environmental activist, travels to Beirut as the attacks intensify, visiting Zeno in his apartment in Forn El Chebbak. As Awada helps tend to the plants around the apartment, Zeno shows him a small tree that is growing just outside his home, one that he has become particularly fond of. Awada says the tree is actually an invasive species, threatening the biodiversity of Lebanon.
Awada calls Dr Mohammad Abdalla, a specialist on invasive species, and it becomes evident that the tree growing in front of Zeno’s home is just an offshoot of a “mother tree”. In fact, the whole neighbourhood has been overtaken by offshoots, growing in tight alleys and open spaces alike.
“An invasive tree!” Zeno says in a voice-over in the film. “Where did it come from? I was happy to have it and now I am wary of it. Can there really be such a thing as a harmful tree?”
The discovery is shocking for Zeno, who soon sets out to learn more about the tree and its ramifications on the environment. The tree is called Ailanthus, but also has the moniker of "tree of paradise". Ailanthus is infamous for its ability to grow quickly, to the detriment of surrounding flora. In its native China, the tree stays evergreen with a wood density that makes it useful across many industries.
However, that is not the case in Lebanon, where the tree sheds its leaves frequently, limiting its uses. Zeno soon travels north from Beirut, to the Chekka Train Station, where French colonial forces had planted the tree so it would provide shade to the area. Today, the train station is abandoned and only the Ailanthus grows in the area, overtaking every other type of vegetation.
It is at this point that a poetic parallel is drawn between the effects of this invasive species and the war. As Israel pummels and scorches areas of South Lebanon with white phosphorous, rendering the soil toxic, the Ailanthus grows as “a selfish tree”, caring only about its own sustenance.
It “loves only itself, unlike cedars, junipers and olive trees", Zeno says.
This self-regard is most clearly shown as the director travels to a forest along the Alma coast, where “a monolithic forest” of Ailanthus has grown, leaving no space or room for other species.
“The tree grows a carcinogenic substance,” Abdalla says in the film. “It kills roots underground. It even drives away birds. Therefore, this area is considered devastated, where only that specific tree grows.”
Abdalla also points out a horrifying fact, pointing to the nearby unaffected forest, saying that if one Ailanthus seed manages to make it across, then “that forest will disappear".
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Despite being only 24 minutes long, Tree of Life provides a thought-provoking diptych of war and environmental devastation. The mixture of drone footage, close-ups and meticulous framing makes the documentary visually compelling, whereas the original score accentuates the film’s drama and haunting symbolism.
The documentary also benefits from having a clear direction, a plot, if you will. It is not an aloof examination of an invasive species, but rather evocatively and emotionally highlights what is at stake. As the film nears its end, a metaphor solidifies, as Ailanthus flourishes to the detriment of others, a “selfish tree that loves only itself” that wants to overtake its neighbours as “a monolithic forest".
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
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You Were Never Really Here
Director: Lynne Ramsay
Starring: Joaquim Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
