Jean Chamoun was born in Lebanon in 1942. He completed his studies in Theatre at the Lebanese University and his MA in Film from the University of Paris VIII.
He returned to Lebanon in 1974 to make films, just months before the civil war broke out.
His lifelong interest for the Palestinian cause led him to work at the Palestinian Cinema Institute and in 1975, he co-directed a movie about Tel Al-Za’atar with Palestinian filmmaker Mustafa Abu Ali.
He met his wife, film director Mai Masri while they were both working at the Palestinian Cinema Institute. Together they produced and directed award-winning films that have been broadcasted on more than 100 television stations around the world.
Lantern of Memory was Jean’s last film. He passed away in Beirut on the 9th of August 2017.