The prestigious Oscars’ event will be held this Sunday, February 9th, and two Lebanese movies have been nominated, among 21 MENA films in different categories, according to the National.
You might have probably guessed that Capernaum is one of them; how couldn’t it be? And, of course, The Insult! Two movies that have had an impressive world journey of success and awards.
Ranked by The Guardian among the best movies of the 21st century, among the numerous recognition and awards it has scored so far, Capernaum is now nominated to, hopefully, earn an Oscar for the Best Foreign Film.
This Lebanese movie, which was directed by Nadine Labaki and released in 2018, portrays the life of a young 12-year-old boy, Zain, born in a poor family in the slums of Beirut.
The storyline focuses on Zain’s tough life and leads to his attempt to sue his parents Souad (Kawsar Al Haddad) and Selim (Fadi Yousef) for the “crime” of giving him life.
This will not be the first time that Capernaum represents Lebanon internationally. Capernaum has won several prizes, including ‘The Audience Award’ and ‘Best Script’ at the Stockholm Film Festival, ‘Prix Du Jury’ at the International Cannes Film Festival, and ‘Meilleur Film Etranger’ at Les Globes De Cristal.
It was also nominated for a Golden Globe’s Foreign Language category in 2018. And now, Nadine Labaki’s movie has made it to the Oscars this year.
Also nominated this year for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film is The Insult, a Lebanese drama film released in 2017, directed by Ziad Doueiri, and co-written by Doueiri and Joelle Touma.
The story is about a minor incident that is blown out of proportions between a Lebanese Christian Tony (Adel Karam) and Yasser (Kamel El Basha) a Palestinian refugee.
The incident turns into an intense trial that ends up creating a social drama explosion and dividing the two communities.
The Insult was screened in more than ten countries and was the first Lebanese Oscar-nominated film. Since its release, it was nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award, and won many.
Among the several awards it won so far: The World Cinema Audience Award at the America Film Institute in 2017, Bridging the Borders Award in 2018, and Best Actor Kamel El Basha in 2017 at the Venice International Film Festival.
Two outstanding movies from Lebanon to the world and (cross-fingers) may an Oscar be brought home and give the homeland a good reason to cheer up during this time of hardships.
