Capernaum

New York magazine called Lebanese Director Nadine Labaki’s film, Capernaum, “… a deeply assured piece of direction, and though it only plays a few emotional notes, they are ones that won't soon leave your memory” and the Village Voice in one of its final reviews said, “… the results are grueling and powerful.” And now it’s your chance to see Capernaum direct from the Canne film festival where it was winner of the Grand Jury Prize. 

About the Film - The film takes place in Beirut, but the title takes its title from the Israeli fishing town of Capernaum, which became the namesake for a word meaning “disorderly accumulation of objects.” In Labaki’s slums, even children come to be a part of that accumulation. When Capernaum opens, 12-year-old Zain (Zain Alrafeea), is taken from prison to face his parents in court where he is now the plaintiff: He is making the case that his own birth was a crime of neglect.

Alrafeea is an incredible find and his soulful face tells the story – and  chaos -- of Zain’s life. From the courtroom, we flash to the events that landed Zain in prison: beginning with the heartbreak of seeing his younger sister sold-off for a few chickens to be the bride of a grown man. It’s a devastating sequence and -- only minutes into the film -- you’re wishing for a life sentence for Zain’s parents. The piling-on of images of squalor and dysfunction in their home fill each frame, and when Zain escapes, full of sadness at the loss of his sister, it’s hard to think of a better course of action.

View Trailer – Coming Soon

EVENT DETAILS: Social Hour on Sunday, November 18th, Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, 54 1st Ave, Atlantic Highlands with light refreshments, followed by the movie screening at 8:30 pm at Atlantic Cinemas, 82 1st Ave.  The film is 121 minutes long and is rated M for language and violence.

TICKETS: $20; $10 for students under 18 (bring student ID). Purchase tickets below or at the door. Proceeds benefit FilmOneFest’s mission to provide free access to the arts.

FilmOneFest and its fundraisers are volunteer-produced; proceeds support the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council (AHAC) and AACC Food Pantry. Food donations are encouraged at this event.

FilmOneFest thanks its dedicated sponsors including Wells Fargo, Investors Foundation, Janet Peterson, PepsiCo, and Whole Foods. FilmOneFest also thanks Kevin Smith for his generous support.

FilmOneFest is a project of AHAC, a registered 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to strengthen community through the arts. For information, visit www.aharts.org.

This program is made possible in part by Monmouth Arts through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The New Jersey State Council on the Arts. FilmOneFest is grateful for the continued support of Tom Bernard and Sony Pictures Classics.