A rebellious kid wishes to sue his parents for having him in this Cannes Jury Prize-winning drama from Nadine Labaki...
A rebellious kid wishes to sue his parents for having him in this Cannes Jury Prize-winning drama from Nadine Labaki (Where Do We Go Now?). Nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs and nominated for the Cannes Palme d'Or.
"Zain (Zain Al Rafeea) is only 12, but he's seen enough of this life to resent his very existence. With numerous children to care for, his parents resort to some inventive scams, such as saturating garments with tramadol, which they then pass along to Zain's incarcerated brother who reconstitutes the drug and sells it to fellow prisoners. More alarmingly, Zain's parents have sold his 11-year-old sister's hand in marriage, which prompts Zain to run away. He befriends an Ethiopian cleaning woman, whose baby he eventually becomes guardian to. But life on the streets offers Zain fewer and fewer places to hide. 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. The trial provides the frame through which Zain's story unfolds." (Toronto International Film Festival)
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Where to watch Capernaum
90 %184 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® rating
93 %1,453 reviewsAudience score rating
"The Lebanese word for “chaos”, Capernaum is the fourth film from actor/director Nabine Labaki, and it contains more than its fair share. From the opening drone shots of the Beirut slums, to a slow-mo, street-level run through the bomb-ruined streets, it’s so full of life and motion, it’s fit to burst."
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Flicks
Flicks"It's a deeply assured piece of direction, and though it only plays a few emotional notes, they are ones that won't soon leave your memory."
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Vulture
Vulture"The film contains some outstanding performances by children (including a toddler!) and it's undeniably going straight for the heartstrings."
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Vox
Vox"While this is unquestionably an issue film, it tackles its subject with intelligence and heart."
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Variety
Variety"A social-realist blockbuster - fired by furious compassion and teeming with sorrow, yet strewn with diamond-shards of beauty, wit and hope."
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The Telegraph
The Telegraph"It's a much angrier, tougher - and sometimes funnier - film than you might imagine from its cloying opening premise."
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The Guardian
The Guardian"Capernaum features some stunning performances from its cast of predominantly young novice actors."
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Stuff
Stuff"The last shot had me choking back sobs."
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NPR
NPR"Not subtle, but stirring."
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Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood ReporterCapernaum | Details
Award winner- Jury Prize, Cannes 2018
- Rating
- 15, strong language, references to child abuse, drug misuse
- Runtime
- 120
- Genre
- Drama
- Country of origin
- Lebanon, France, USA
