The actress RAIA HAIDAR plays the romantic prostitute. At another level, her character symbolizes the hedonistic city of pleasure that is tired of its role. This is also a reference to Pier Paolo Pasolini in his film “MAMA ROMA” starring Anna Magnani. In “WHAT’S GOING ON?”  Mama Beirut is played by a young actress who expresses her entire generation’s exasperation with war.