Collection code: CAL 2016/2
Collection title: Baalbek Studio Archives Collection
Biographical note
Baalbek Studios is located in the Boulevard 166 in Sin el Fil, Beirut. It was the largest production studio in the Arab world that has left a golden legacy, voice recordings, and an archive of films that are an honor for all the Lebanese. Famous Recordings include the entire Arab world, from Arbil to Amman, passing through Damascus and Cairo, but stored and neglected in damp underground warehouses due to the dereliction of the Lebanese government, they have succumbed to mold.
Badih Boulos was the head of the Lebanese company for Art Recordings. He founded with Joseph Beds, founder of Intra Bank, Baalbek Studio in June 1962, the date of registration of the company in the Official Gazette. Baalbek Studio was one of the few studios in Lebanon and helped launch Lebanese cinema. It formed a part of the film and music heritage of Lebanon, and also played a prominent role in the foundation of the Lebanese identity, since it has witnessed many Lebanese, Arab and foreign films in the period between the sixties and nineties of the last century. This Studio can be considered a real museum of Lebanese cinema.
The studio was equipped with the latest technologies and the sound system was exceptional. All the equipment was advanced including lighting, editing, and dubbing, in addition to the cameras. Those in charge at that time were professionals. In that era, 52 employees devoted their time to work in the studio full time. Baalbek Studio is the memory of the Lebanese cinema, and even more. In its studios, many artistic works have been recorded, including songs and movies of Fairuz, and hundreds of musical works for Farid al-Atrash, Abdel Wahab, Sabah, and other Arab stars.
Collection description
This archive contains hundreds of audio scrolls and cinematographic works. The agreement was signed in 2016 between the Ministry of Culture, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, and Notre Dame University in Zouk. The first university will take care of the audio scrolls, while the second will take care of the cinematographic archives.
Type
Musical - Artistic
Material importance
Baalbek Studio is firmly placed the memory of the Lebanese cinema, and beyond. In its studios, many artistic works have been recorded, including songs and movies of Fairuz, and hundreds of musical works for Farid al-Atrash and Abdel Wahab, Sabah, and other Arab stars.
Language used
Arabic
Dates range
1950 - 1990