Audiences familiar with the Bible will recognize the name Caphernaum, which also translates as "a messy, chaotic place". A suitable description indeed for the house in Beirut's slum quarters where twelve-year-old Zain was born and raised. A little chaos is nothing to be afraid of, one could argue, but Zain's parents are simply not capable of taking properly care of him or of his many siblings. Their negligence turns critical when Zain discovers that they plan to marry his favourite sister off to a local business owner to make ends meet. Zain's protest eventually leads him to escape from home.

In Caphernaum, we learn of Zain's tragic history through flashbacks. Having been imprisoned for his unlawful deed, he gets the unique opportunity to sue his own parents for having brought him into this world, in an attempt to prevent his mother from having more children.

This narrative device allows director Nadine Labaki to draw a stark and unflinching picture of a part of Lebanese society in which children are mistreated by their parents. Her commitment and engagement have won her several awards, including the Jury Award at the Cannes film festival, and the audience award at the Norwegian Film Festival. Some critics have argued that Labaki overstates her point to hit an emotional soft spot with the audience, but few will disagree that the Syrian refugee who plays Zain in the film delivers a simply marvellous performance.

Nadine Labaki (b. 1974) is a Lebanese director and actress. Unlike many other Arab contemporary filmmakers, she studied film in her home country, at the Saint Joseph University in Beirut. After having directed a short and several music videos, she developed her first feature during a residency at the Cannes festival, where all her consecutive films have screened.

Year 2018

Director Nadine Labaki

Screenplay Nadine Labaki, Jihad Hojeily, Michelle Kesrouani, Georges Khabbaz, Khaled Mounazar

Cinematography Christopher Aoun

Cast Kawtar al Haddad, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, Nadine Labaki

Runtime 2h