Set in Lebanon at the start of the 1975 civil war, West Beirut tells the gripping and emotional story of two young boys, Tarek and Omar, whose world is fuelled by political violence. At first, the war seems like a lark and the boys make 8mm films of their adventures together, revelling in the thrilling excitement of conflict. But soon, religious and patriarchal tensions rise, and their personal war leads from adventure to tragedy.