A Lebanese boy 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".
Language: Arabic, English subtitles
Using the court case as a framework, we learn how it came to this in two long flashbacks. In an energetic montage of observationally filmed scenes, Capharnaüm examines – in part through the problems of an ‘illegal’ Ethiopian cleaner who shelters Zain when he runs away from home – the fate of the large group of undocumented people trying to survive in and around Beirut. Street-savvy and wise beyond his years, the sad gaze of young lead Zain Al Rafeaa betrays his real-life experiences as a Syrian refugee in the Lebanese metropolis.
“social-realist blockbuster” ***** Telegraph
“Heartbreaking and Defiant” NY Times
Ticket reservation: call Natlab (040 2946848), or buy your tickets at the cash register that opens one hour prior to the start of the movie. Payment is only by PIN (with Maestro, so not with Visa or Mastercard).