Capernaum (2018)

While serving a five-year sentence for a violent crime, a 12-year-old boy sues his parents for neglect.

Director:

Nadine Labaki

Writers:

Nadine Labaki (screenplay), Jihad Hojeily (screenplay)

Stars:

Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 26 wins & 35 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zain Al Rafeea	...	Zain
Yordanos Shiferaw	...	Rahil
Boluwatife Treasure Bankole	...	Yonas
Kawsar Al Haddad	...	Souad, the Mother
Fadi Yousef	...	Selim, the Father (as Fadi Kamel Yousef)
Haita 'Cedra' Izzam	...	Sahar, the Sister
Alaa Chouchnieh	...	Aspro
Nadine Labaki	...	Nadine
Elias Khoury	...	The Judge
Nour El Husseini	...	Assaad
Joseph Jimbazian	...	Cockroach Man / Harout
Samira Chalhoub	...	Daad
Farah Hasno	...	Maysoun
Joe Maalouf	...	TV presenter
Alexandre Youakim	...	Doctor

Storyline

Capernaüm ("Chaos") tells the story of Zain (Zain al-Rafeea), a Lebanese boy who sues his parents for the "crime" of giving him life. The film follows Zain as he journeys from gutsy, streetwise child to hardened 12-year-old "adult" fleeing his negligent parents, surviving through his wits on the streets, where he meets Ethiopian migrant worker Rahil, who provides him with shelter and food, as Zein takes care of her baby son Yonas in return. Zein later gets jailed for committing a violent crime, and finally seeks justice in a courtroom.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | 12 year old | courtroom | son suing parents | prison | 

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Taglines:

It takes courage to hope. (UK release poster)

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some drug material

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Lebanon France USA

Language:

Arabic Amharic

Release Date:

20 September 2018 (Lebanon)

Also Known As:

Chaos

Filming Locations:

Beirut, Lebanon

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,988, 16 December 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,634,429, 18 April 2019

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mooz Films, Cedrus Invest Bank, Sunnyland Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize.

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Quotes

Zain: I want to make a complaint against my parents. I'd want adults to listen to me. I want adults who can't raise kids not to have any. What will I remember? Violence, insults or beatings, hit with chains, pipes, or a belt? The kindest words I heard were get out son of a whore! Bug off, piece of garbage! Life is a pile of shit. Not worth more than my shoe. I live in hell here. I burn like rotting meat. Life is a bitch.I thought we'd become good people, loved by all. But God doesn't want that for us...

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Connections

References Steamboat Willie (1928)

User Reviews

Moving masterpiece

Capharnaüm is one of the most raw, real, and brutal films that gives you the misery of this world in the face. Everyone need to watch it.