Nadine Labaki was the only female director whose feature film was nominated at Sunday night's Academy Awards, and while Capernaum lost out to Roma for Best Foreign Film, the fact she was nominated was an achievement within itself.
She was only the second female Arab director to have ever been nominated for an Oscar, and her film Capernaum sheds light on the plight of Syrian refugees, with much of the cast made up of amateur actors who are refugees themselves.
The film's star, Zain Al Rafeea (now 14), is a Syrian refugee, who has recently settled in Norway with his family.
Labaki met the children in Capernaum in Beirut during the two years she spent researching the film, and she told The National after her Cannes success that she is pleased to dedicate its success to them. "Really, everyone in the film is expressing their own situation and for me that's the most significant victory," the director said.
"A few days ago these people didn’t exist, literally. Most of them don’t even have papers to prove their existence, so all of a sudden to shed light on them and their situation, everybody’s talking about them and recognising their talents, that’s a huge achievement.”
It's safe to say that Lebanon is still very proud of Labaki, and the film: Lebanese-American writer Dana Dargos wrote this about why Labaki inspires her, and so many other people from Lebanon, on her Instagram:
"Although Nadine Labaki lost, we are beyond proud of her for so many reasons. But the main ones are... One: because she was courageous enough to expose taboos that Arab society wouldn't dare illustrate... Two: because she worked so hard as a female director... And three: because she introduced the world to Lebanese cinema, and encouraged promising Lebanese artists to chase after their dreams."
Labaki herself shared that she was happy to have just made it to the ceremony as well, after directing her fourth feature film: "I just can't believe I'm actually here, after all this time."
"The #Oscars make me dream." @NadineLabaki, director of the nominated film "Capernaum," on why she watches. pic.twitter.com/lD9lbi6ibL
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 20, 2019
Before the awards, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri wished the team well on Twitter. "I wish all the best to Nadine Labaki and the crew of the film, Capernaum, in its nomination for Oscars," Hariri posted on Saturday evening.
"Our hearts are with you and all of Lebanon is proud of you, Nadine Labaki."
Here are a few other heartwarming tweets from those who thought Labaki deserved recognition, and achieved a lot from her nomination:
my 2 cents.. much as I loved Roma, Cold War deserved Best Foreign Language; Nadine Labaki should have been nominated for best director (Capharnaüm); Thomasin McKenzie in Leave No Trace was overlooked; as was Xavier Legrand's incredible film Custody (Jusqu'à la garde) #oscars
— sadie hale 🇪🇺 (@_sadiesaid) February 25, 2019
Capernaum deserved to win that Oscar! Being nominated was already a big win for Nadine Labaki and Lebanon. 🇱🇧 #Oscar
— 🅷 (@husseiin97) February 25, 2019
It’s sad Nadine Labaki didn’t win for #Capernaum this movie is a life changing experience. However, Being the first Arab “Lebanese” director to be nominated is a victory of its own. 👏 #oscars
— Zakaria MJ (@zakariamj) February 25, 2019
Nadine Labaki and Khalid Mouzannar thank you for Capernaum. You won our hearts and that is the best Oscar. I was hoping that refugees will be lucky and they win, but if they were they would have been home and not scattered around the four corners of earth. #AcademyAwards2019
— Amal Mudallali (@AmbMudallali) February 25, 2019
Middle East (& Immigrants) Represent at #Oscars
— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) February 25, 2019
Rami Malek - Best Actor
Rayka Zehtabchi - Best Documentary Short
Nadine Labaki - Nominated Best Foreign Movie
Bahman Kalbasi - BBC Reporter on Red Carpet
Anyone else I'm leaving out?@bbckalbasi @Oscars2019Live_