Capharnaum

Aroview: A uniquely humanistic portrayal of tragic poverty in Beirut from the perspective of an extraordinarily gutsy 12 year old Lebanese boy. After suffering unforgivable mistreatment by his parents which leads to homelessness, starvation and incarceration, he attempts to sue them for bringing him into the world.

A well-crafted film whose enormous emotional power feels at times contrived, but the central performance of actor Zain Al Rafeea is anything but. Director Nadine Labaki (WHERE DO WE GO NOW?) cast non-professional actors from displaced backgrounds similar to their characters, resulting in authentic and extraordinary performances.