Hammoudi Zebawi, 9, suffers from an immune-deficiency disorder. On a Sunday afternoon, he walks with his parents through souks in downtown Beirut, the heart of the capital, unaware of what is about to happen.
Suddenly, a scene bigger than anything he has ever dreamed of comes alive before him. The Red Bull stuntman Zaher Ziadeh, dressed as Spider-Man, rappels down a building. Mini Coopers transformed into Spider-Man and Superman mobiles pull up after a crowd of children begin a flash mob performance, dancing in unison to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.” More children run out holding up placards that read, “Be Happy Hammoudi!” Hammoudi, who loves Spider-Man and wished to be in an action movie, smiles, his face radiating the spirit of the people around him.