Mar. 28: Capernaum

Posted on Posted in Screenings

Thursday, March 28, 2019
7 pm @ Galaxy Cinemas, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Director: Nadine Labaki
Lebanon/USA 2018
Arabic; 121 minutes
Rating: 14a for language and some drug material

Zain (Zain Al Rafeea) is only 12, but he’s seen enough of life to
resent his very existence. Life with his family is hard, but when his
parents sell his younger sister, he runs away. Although he meets
kindred spirits, living on the streets is equally difficult. Encouraged
by a current affairs program seeking to draw attention to child
poverty, Zain files a lawsuit against his parents for giving birth to
him. Capernaum reveals a world of constant desperation where the
innocent appear forsaken. But our hope lies in resourceful kids like
Zain, whose story Labaki relays with empathy and bold cinematic
vision.

Capernaum is an absolute heartbreaker about children in peril and
the plight of undocumented people. Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Labaki chose the title “Capernaum” because the word was often
used to mean “chaos” in French literature. That’s precisely what
she presents to us, with precious little relief in sight.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

While this is unquestionably an issue film, it tackles its subject with
intelligence and heart. Jay Weissberg, Variety