Lebanese Oscar entry “Arzé” takes its cues from Vittorio De Sica’s “Bicycle Thieves,” but maps the classic story onto modern-day Beirut. Mira Shaib’s directorial debut has the growing pains of a first feature. However, as it gradually explores its political backdrop, its drama transforms in intriguing, even exciting ways, as diligent single mother Arzé (Diamand Abou Abboud) and her angsty teenage son Kinan (Bilal Al Hamwi) travel between neighborhoods segregated by sect and class.

Before this sectarian scope emerges, “Arzé” appears relatively straightforward as a social drama. Arzé — whose husband has long since left for Europe in search of a better life — runs a bakery out of her kitchen, for which she and Kinan make deliveries by foot. They also care for Arzé’s sister Layla (Betty Taoutel), whose own husband was kidnapped some time ago, and who lives under the constant delusion that he might return any second.