I saw this film on Belgium Canvas Wednesday and left an indelible impression. Nadine Labaki's CAPHARNAÜM (“Chaos”), winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

The story of Zain (Zain al Rafeea), a Lebanese boy who sues his parents for the “crime” of giving him life. CAPHARNAÜM follows Zain, a brave restraining child while fleeing from his negligent parents, survives through his wits on the street, takes care of the Ethiopian refugee Rahil and her son Yonas, who are imprisoned for a crime, and finally seeks justice in a courtroom.

CAPHARNAUM is made with a cast of non-professionals who play characters whose lives closely match theirs. According to her script, Labaki put her performers in scenes and asked to respond spontaneously with their own words and gestures. When the non-actors' instincts deviated from the written script, Labaki adjusted the scenario to follow them.

Making of CAPHARNAUM by Nadine Labaki

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