NEWS

The DFC is pleased to invite you to a discussion of the recent Lebanese film, Capernaum, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, on Saturday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.

“Mostly shot with handheld cameras on the streets of Beirut, Capernaum is breathtaking, topical, hilarious, tender and brutal.” Charlotte O’Sullivan, London Evening Standard

Directed by Nadine Labaki

Lebanon (2018, 2h05)

In Arabic with English subtitles

*The Davidson Film Club will remain virtual in October owing to the continuing high level of COVID cases brought on by the Delta variant.

We will discuss Capernaum on Zoom on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m. Here is the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82412792005?pwd=REtlTTJrYnlKUk1CSnovZU1JeE5MUT09
 Meeting ID: 824 1279 2005
Passcode: 514413

 Discussion will be led by Margot Leydic-Boyd, former Program Officer at the Economic Development Administration in the U.S. Dept. of Commerce in Washington and inveterate world traveler, including in the Middle East, with a background in cultural anthropology.

 There is no membership fee for this program, only, at most, the modest cost of the on-line film rental that yields no revenue to the Davidson Film Club.
Capernaum may be obtained by mail from Netflix for subscribers, or rented on Vudu for $2.99 at:

https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/Capernaum/1034989?cmp=rt_where_to_watch
OR on Prime Video for the same price at:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MMNPCFV/ref=pv_ag_gcf?cmp=rt_where_to_watch&tag=rottetomao-20

Film Summary:

Capernaum (“Chaos”) tells the story of Zain, a Lebanese boy who 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” fleeing his negligent parents. He survives through his wits on the streets of Beirut, where he meets Ethiopian migrant worker Rahil, who provides him with shelter and food as Zain takes care of her baby son Yonas in return. . .

Nominated at the Oscars, Golden Globes USA, and BAFTA as the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. Winner of three awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Prize for Nadine Labaki. 33 wins and 38 nominations in all, including multiple Best Film, Best Foreign Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Audience Awards.

“It’s essential viewing for the ways in which it illuminates brutally hard lives many of us could otherwise not imagine, and for the craft of its nonprofessional performers.” Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader

“It’s harsh and abrasive, and sometimes difficult…but Labaki has layered the film with just enough moments of kindness to break your heart.” Kevin Maher, Times (UK)

“Nadine Labaki shines a bright light on dark times. A painfully unreal experience.” Jeff Mitchell, Art House Film Wire

“The film is a magnificent gut-punch, emotional rather than sentimental, and whenever you get the feeling a truth gets stretched, you realize it’s done not to exaggerate the suffering, but to soften the blow for the viewer somewhat.” Ard Vijn, ScreenAnarchy

Our updated website at www.davidsonfilmclub.com features the whole up-coming series (August-November 2021) and film descriptions. Have you Bookmarked it?
We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope to see many of you on Zoom on Saturday, Oct. 23, for the discussion of this intense, poignant, and surprisingly tender drama! Please share the Zoom link with your friends! There is no charge by the Film Club, and there is room for everyone!
Alan Singerman
President, Davidson Film Club
[email protected]