Nadine Labaki, the visionary director behind the record-breaking film Capernaum, is back! After the whirlwind success of her groundbreaking film, which earned her the title of the most successful Arabic film director in history, Labaki is gearing up for her next project. But the journey hasn't been without its emotional tolls. Let's dive into the story.
Labaki, a jury member at the Red Sea Film Festival, first captured global attention with Capernaum in 2018. This wasn't her first rodeo; she had already directed Caramel and Where Do We Go Now. However, Capernaum, a raw and unflinching look at a young refugee's life in Beirut, catapulted her to international stardom. It won the Jury Prize at Cannes and even snagged an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, making Labaki the first female Arab director nominated in that category.
And this is the part most people miss... the film became a phenomenon in China, pushing its global box office to over $68 million. But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the accolades, Labaki found the experience emotionally taxing.
"For me, 2019 was the year where I really achieved every dream I used to dream of when I was a kid," she shared. "I went to the Oscars, I went to Cannes where I got the jury prize, the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Cesar Awards, all of it. But 2019 was the hardest year of my life. Emotionally speaking, it was very hard, it was very difficult, even if it was so successful."
Capernaum's creation was a deeply affecting undertaking, exploring the plight of Lebanon's forgotten street children. But it also sparked criticism. Some accused the film of exploiting non-child actors and the suffering of the poor to garner sympathy and awards. Labaki acknowledged that success comes with its own set of challenges. It's worth noting that after the film's release, Labaki and her team helped the lead actor, Zain Al Rafeea (a refugee himself who helped shape the story), and his family resettle in Norway and set up a scholarship fund for the other children involved.
The emotional toll led Labaki to step back from directing, focusing on acting roles in films like the Arabic adaptation of Perfect Strangers and The Sand Castle. "For me, the best way was to be on a film set with less responsibility, with less stress, because I needed it," she explained.
Now, after a seven-year wait, Labaki is ready to return to directing and writing. Her new project is in development, with the hope of shooting next year. She hints that this time, her scope will broaden beyond Lebanese society, potentially exploring different countries.
What are your thoughts on the impact of Capernaum? Do you think the criticism was justified, or did the film's success outweigh the controversy? Share your opinions in the comments below!
