کفرناحوم | Capernaum (2018)

A powerfully compelling, hard-hitting & thought-provoking portrait of poverty, neglect, child abuse & desperation that also reflects on the current refugee crisis, Capernaum (also known as Capharnaüm) is an endlessly gripping, thoroughly captivating & emotionally engrossing Lebanese drama that’s sincere in its approach, compassionate in its treatment & downright effective in its execution. An unforgettable & heartbreaking slice of social-realism that’s bolstered by arguably the most memorable performance of 2018, this harrowing cinema is one of last year’s finest offerings.

Capernaum tells the story of Zain; a 12-year old boy from the slums of Beirut, Lebanon who is summoned before a court while already serving a 5-year prison sentence for a past crime after he decides to take civil action against his own parents. Narrated in flashbacks, the film takes us on a journey through his life, from his scrambling for survival on the streets to the crime he is imprisoned for, in addition to the event that compels him to sue his parents for bringing him into an unjust world where being a refugee without any documents means that their rights can easily be denied.

Co-written & directed by Nadine Labaki, despite featuring a fictional storyline, many of the hardships depicted in this film are lifted directly from real-life incidents that Labaki encountered during her research in the field. And she weaves them all together into one carefully structured & finely layered narrative that never loses its sight & focus of what it’s about and where it’s headed. Also, by employing novice actors in primary roles and abstracting genuine emotions from them by drawing on their experiences, the director succeeds in achieving the documentary-like realism she was aiming for.

The non-linear arrangement of the storyline piques our interest from the moment we see a small kid being brought to the court in handcuffs and after he reveals why he wants to sue his parents, the film goes back to pave the groundwork and work on his background to shed light on the bigger picture. Zain is not the only character the story focuses on but Labaki makes sure to not stall the narrative, and keeps all subplots moving towards the same destination. Though the never-ending predicaments make it a depressing sit for the most part, the first-rate acting & proper handling of emotions keep the interest alive until the end.

Illustrating the shantytowns of Beirut & the harsh life that dwells there in a wonderfully detailed & authentic fashion, the images have a raw, gritty feel to them however they are arresting at the same time, not to mention that the handheld camerawork is executed so well that it provides a sense of closeness & immediacy to the unfolding drama. Editing is expertly carried out too, steadily pacing the plot while keeping the narrative flow smooth & streamlined. But the film isn’t without its misgivings and in case one isn’t already invested in Zain’s life from the start, the premise may seem somewhat manipulative to them.

Regardless of that, there is absolutely no denying that the film is an acting powerhouse despite featuring mostly novice actors in the main roles. Leading from the front is Zain Al Rafeea who plays our young protagonist with such precise control over his emotions that he is nothing short of a revelation here and his performance is as breathtaking as it is flawless, striking an emotional chord that resonates strongly with the viewers. Others are no slouch in their given roles either and they all contribute with outstanding inputs, most notably Yordanos Shiferaw who plays an undocumented immigrant and even her toddler manages to steal few moments.

On an overall scale, Capernaum is an intelligently crafted, expertly narrated & strongly acted drama that’s realised on the film canvas with care, consideration & collectedness. Brilliantly directed & deftly scripted, Nadine Labaki’s latest argues that adults who are incapable of raising kids responsibly shouldn’t have one in the first place, for it is these children who always end up bearing the maximum brunt, pay a heavy price for things they never actually had any say in, and are robbed of the childhood they deserve. Capernaum was nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the just concluded Academy Awards and I found it way better & stronger than the other nominees. Highly recommended.

قضية رقم ٢٣ | The Insult (2017)

A powerful, potent & provocative slice of Middle-Eastern politics that’s handled with care, approached with caution, and executed in a consistently captivating fashion, The Insult aims for an unbiased, unprejudiced & unfiltered narration of its sensitive subject matter, and delivers a gripping story that’s always seething with rage resulting from the lack of proper closure to age-old wounds.

Set in Beirut, Lebanon, the story of The Insult (also known as L’insulte) concerns a Lebanese Christian & a Palestinian refugee who end up in the courthouse after a heated argument between the two blows out of proportion. When the ongoing trial brings up traumatic revelations from their past, the case turns into a media circus that receives national attention and catapults the entire nation into a social unrest.

Directed by Ziad Doueiri, the film takes its time to set up the main premise but tension flares from the very moment our primary characters step into the same frame. The charged atmosphere only gets more unstable as plot progresses but Doueiri makes sure that the main focus remains on the characters involved in the conflict rather than being sidelined or overtaken by the violence & carnage that erupts on the Lebanese streets.

At first, the viewers may find themselves siding with one character when the incident that puts this plot into motion occurs but it’s also quite obvious that the other’s hatred & prejudice has its roots in an unresolved past trauma. And so as the case proceeds and more intel is provided, we are compelled to contemplate the scenario from a new perspective and while it doesn’t make the wrong right, it does make us understand where that outrage is coming from and allows us to empathise with both of them.

Ziad Doueiri’s sensible direction is no doubt excellent but it’s the performances that makes this drama all the more effective & convincing. Adel Karam & Kamel El Basha are in as the Lebanese Christian & Palestinian refugee respectively and while the former chips in with a volcanic rendition, the latter’s restrained input is completely in tune with his character. The supporting cast, including the two lawyers representing their clients, also leave a lasting mark in their given roles. In short, they all hit the brief and play their part responsibly.

On an overall scale, The Insult offers an interesting, absorbing, riveting, volatile & thought-provoking insight into Middle East conflicts while also doubling as a history lesson with its informative storytelling. It shows that even in the most hostile of situations, it’s essential to stick to the humanity within us instead of giving in to the hate that begets further hatred which in turn neither allows the involved to move on nor leads to a peaceful resolution. An essential viewing in every way or shape or form, this Lebanese drama is one of the finest films of its year. Highly recommended.