Raw. Heart-wrenching. Gritty. Capernaum, directed by Nadine Labaki, is all that and more. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards and an international sleeper hit, this Lebanese gem is a stark contrast to Labaki’s light-hearted comedy-drama Caramel and thematically rich yet magical realism-esque Where Do We Go Now? A departure from Lebanon’s abundance of war themed films, Capernaum powerfully burns the spotlight on the profound darkness and sheer misery of poverty, social injustice, child labour, child marriage, the refugee experience, the kafala system for migrant workers, and neglect in a documentary-like neorealistic portrayal of a dystopian Beirut featuring non-professional actors, many living realities like the characters they portray. From the candidly captivating performance by Zain Al Rafeea to the immersive and intimate cinematography, this socio-political critique is unrelentingly emotional and haunting. — JASMINA NAJJAR