Once Upon a Time in Lebanon

Once Upon a Time in Lebanon is a Western-like thriller inspired by true events. On March 23rd, 2011, Lebanese police found seven bicycles and trekking gear in a highway ditch. Among the discarded items were Estonian citizens’ ID cards. Hours later, an emergency meeting took place at the Estonian Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Tallinn: a hostage crisis was underway. How could the Estonians be freed from Middle Eastern terrorists?

Once Upon a Time in Lebanon premiered in the Estonian Drama Theatre’s Large Hall on February 22nd, 2025 (directed by Hendrik Toompere Jr). The script is based on the television series Trading Life, which was produced by Ove Musting, Mehis Pihla, and Siret Campbell, as well as Tiit Pruuli’s work Antiliibanon 2011 (Anti-Lebanon, 2011).

Mehis Pihla (1988) is a playwright, screenwriter, and director. His works staged at the Estonian Drama Theatre include Forest Forte (2018), The Dragon’s Curse (2018), The Soloist (2022), Master Solness (also as director, 2022), and Business as Usual (2024). The latter has been translated into English, Romanian, and Latvian. He has also directed at the Estonian Drama Theatre, including A Doll’s House, Part 2 (2019, nominated for Estonian Director of the Year) and Oh, God (2020). Pihla co-wrote the feature films Kalev (2019, EFTA Best Feature Film) and Our Erika (2025) and was a screenwriter for the TV series Alo (2018) and When Life Tasted Good (2024). He has also written successful stand-up scripts and sketch comedies.

Once Upon a Time in Lebanon is the 50th edition of the series Näidendiraamat.