Nadine Labaki’s social realist film, Capernaum, which world premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Fest, centers on the plight of a boy growing up in the slums of Beirut, depicting it with humanist compassion, clever wit, and ultimately even hope.
The tale begins with a couple’s arrival at court, where they are joined by their 12-year-old son, who is accompanied by stewards.
For a change, it’s not a divorce or custody battle case. The boy is the plaintiff, and the mother and father are about to be judged. Young Zain (Zain Al Rafeea) announces that he wants to sue his parents “for giving me life,” a loaded statement for any 12-year-old.
Nadine Labaki’s social realist film, Capernaum, which world premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Fest, centers on the plight of this boy growing up in the slums of Beirut, depicting it with humanist compassion, clever wit, and ultimately even hope.
Labaki made a smart choice to use non-professional actors, playing roles close to their own lives.
The courtroom proceeding is a good framing device for an all-encompassing story of survival against against-all-odds.
Running Time: 123 minutes
