# Capernaum

> 2018 film directed by Nadine Labaki

**Wikidata**: [Q51803319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51803319)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/capernaum

## Summary
Capernaum is a 2018 Lebanese drama film directed by Nadine Labaki. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Jury Prize, later receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Nadine Labaki, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jihad Hojeily and Michelle Keserwany
- Produced by Khaled Mouzanar through their production company, Mooz Films
- Stars Zain Al Rafeea as the lead character, alongside Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, and Kawthar Al Haddad
- Runtime: 126 minutes
- Country of origin: Lebanon
- Language: Arabic with French subtitles
- Premiere: May 17, 2018 at the Cannes Film Festival
- Wide release: December 14, 2018 in Lebanon
- Distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Classics
- Budget: $4 million
- Box office gross: $68.7 million worldwide
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% (critics), 8.4/10 (audience)
- Metacritic score: 75/100
- IMDb rating: 7.9/10
- Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards
- Won the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
- Official website: https://sonyclassics.com/capernaum/
- IMDb ID: tt8267604
- Wikidata ID: Q54943
- Wikipedia title: Capernaum (film)

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Capernaum?**
The film follows Zain, a 12-year-old boy living in the slums of Beirut, who sues his parents for giving him life. After his sister is married off, Zain runs away and befriends an Ethiopian migrant worker and her baby, leading to a series of events that expose the harsh realities of poverty and child neglect in Lebanon.

**Who directed Capernaum and what is their background?**
Nadine Labaki, a Lebanese actress and filmmaker, directed Capernaum. She is known for her previous films "Caramel" (2007) and "Where Do We Go Now?" (2011), and is recognized for her socially conscious storytelling that often addresses issues facing Lebanese society.

**What awards did Capernaum receive?**
Capernaum won the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards. It also received numerous other international awards and nominations, including from the BAFTA Awards, Golden Globes, and various film critics associations.

**How was Capernaum received by critics and audiences?**
The film received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its powerful performances, particularly from non-professional actors, and its unflinching portrayal of poverty and child exploitation. It holds a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been described as "heart-wrenching" and "unforgettable" by numerous critics.

**What makes Capernaum unique in its production?**
Capernaum features non-professional actors, including Zain Al Rafeea, who was a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon at the time of filming. The film's authenticity and raw emotional power stem from these real-life experiences, with Labaki spending years developing the project and working with the cast to create genuine performances.

## Why It Matters
Capernaum matters because it brings international attention to the often-overlooked crisis of child poverty and exploitation in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. By using non-professional actors and a neorealist approach, the film creates an authentic and deeply moving portrayal of life on the margins of society. Its success at major international film festivals and its Academy Award nomination helped amplify the voices of marginalized communities and sparked conversations about social justice, immigration, and the responsibilities of parents and society toward children. The film's commercial success, grossing over $68 million worldwide on a $4 million budget, also demonstrates the global appetite for socially conscious cinema that challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable realities.

## Notable For
- Winning the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
- Being nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards
- Featuring non-professional actors, including a Syrian refugee as the lead
- Grossing over $68 million worldwide on a $4 million budget
- Addressing child poverty and exploitation in Lebanon through a neorealist lens
- Nadine Labaki's third feature film as director
- Being shot on location in the slums of Beirut
- Using a mix of scripted and improvised dialogue to create authenticity
- Sparking international dialogue about social issues in the Middle East
- Receiving a 15-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere

## Body

### Production and Development
Capernaum was directed by Nadine Labaki, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jihad Hojeily and Michelle Keserwany. The film was produced by Labaki's husband, Khaled Mouzanar, through their production company Mooz Films, with support from France's SBS Productions and other international co-producers. Labaki spent five years developing the project, conducting extensive research in the slums of Beirut and working with local NGOs to understand the lives of marginalized communities. The film's budget was approximately $4 million, relatively modest for its scope and impact.

### Cast and Performances
The film stars Zain Al Rafeea as the protagonist Zain, a role that earned him widespread acclaim despite having no prior acting experience. Al Rafeea was a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon when cast. Other key cast members include Yordanos Shiferaw as Rahil, an Ethiopian migrant worker; Boluwatife Treasure Bankole as Yonas, Rahil's baby; and Kawthar Al Haddad and Fadi Kamel Youssef as Zain's parents. The use of non-professional actors, many of whom were drawing from their own life experiences, contributed significantly to the film's authenticity and emotional power.

### Filming and Technical Aspects
Capernaum was shot on location in Beirut, Lebanon, with cinematographer Christopher Aoun capturing the gritty reality of the city's slums and marginalized communities. The film employs a neorealist style, using handheld cameras and natural lighting to create an intimate, documentary-like feel. The 126-minute runtime allows for a deep exploration of the characters' lives and the social issues they face. The Arabic-language film includes French subtitles for international audiences.

### Release and Distribution
The film had its world premiere on May 17, 2018, at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 15-minute standing ovation. It was released in Lebanon on December 14, 2018, and subsequently in numerous countries throughout 2019. Sony Pictures Classics handled international distribution, helping the film reach a global audience. The wide release strategy and critical acclaim contributed to its impressive box office performance of $68.7 million worldwide.

### Critical Reception
Capernaum received widespread critical acclaim upon release. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 90% approval rating based on reviews from critics, with an average rating of 8.4/10. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 75 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Critics praised the film's powerful performances, particularly from the non-professional cast, its unflinching portrayal of difficult social issues, and Labaki's direction. The film was described as "heart-wrenching," "unforgettable," and "a masterpiece of empathy" by various reviewers.

### Awards and Recognition
The film's most significant accolade was winning the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, making it Lebanon's first Oscar nomination in this category. Other notable nominations included the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language, the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and numerous critics' awards from organizations such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the National Board of Review.

### Social Impact and Legacy
Beyond its critical and commercial success, Capernaum has had a lasting impact on discussions about child poverty, immigration, and social justice in the Middle East and beyond. The film's authentic portrayal of marginalized communities has helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees, migrant workers, and impoverished families in Lebanon. Labaki's work with NGOs and her commitment to social issues through cinema have inspired other filmmakers to address similar topics. The film's success has also contributed to increased international recognition for Lebanese cinema and has helped launch the careers of its non-professional actors, particularly Zain Al Rafeea.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
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4. The Movie Database
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