Oscar-nominated 'Capernaum' finally comes to the UAE

Nadine Labaki's film will screen at Dubai's Cinema Akil in March

Zain Al Rafeea as in 'Capernaum'. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

After watching the film get nominated for some of the year's biggest awards, UAE audiences will finally get the chance to see Oscar-nominated Capernaum on the big screen.

Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki's movie is set to screen at Cinema Akil in Dubai from March 15 to 29.

There's no doubt UAE audiences will be anticipating this particular release, after a charmed few months for the heart-wrenching film on the world stage.

Capernaum is Labaki's third film and tells the story of children in the slums of Beirut, using a cast of non-actors. The main storyline follows a 12-year-old boy who decides to sue his abusive parents, who he's already fled from, for the "crime" of giving him life.

The film has been an award and record-breaking vehicle for Labaki.

At its premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival in May last year, it received a 15-minute standing ovation and was a contendor for the festival's highest honour: the Palm d’Or award.

While it didn't take out the top gong, Labaki did make history as the first female Arab filmmaker to win a major prize in the competition, when the film picked up the prestigious Jury Prize.

In December, Capernaum became the first Lebanese film to ever be nominated for a Golden Globe, where it picked up a nod for Best Picture – Foreign Language category, which it eventually lost to Alfonso Cuaron's hotly tipped Roma. 

It also lost the Best Film Not in the English Language title to Roma at the Baftas last week.

But there's still one final nomination still outstanding.

Labaki became the first female Lebanese filmmaker to ever be nominated for an Oscar when Capernaum was shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Academy Awards, which will be held on February 24.

For more information, visit www.cinemaakil.com