On the podcast this week, Steven and Sean are once again joined by the fantastic Eimanne El Zein. This time, we’re trading in the absurd hilarity of The Room and getting into a deep conversation about a sobering 2018 film from Nadine Labaki, Capernaum.
Get ready for a tough film. You know us. We’re not going to sugarcoat things for you. This film is challenging, rough, and sad. Most of the film will feel like a grand and real tragedy, and in many ways it is. This is not a fantasy film; there are too many people living a grueling and desperate life like that of Zain. It’s happening right now as you listen to this episode.
I’ll let you know now, though—there’s some redemption at the end. There’s a glimmer of much-needed hope. Like finding a pool of water after being lost in the blazing desert for days, the ending is restorative.
To get there, you have to cross through a river of agonizing emotions. On the plus side, we’ve also got a wonderful guest to help us navigate those waters. At least there’s that.
We talk about it in the podcast, but it should be put into writing here. The performance that first-time actor, Zain Al Rafeea, give is astonishing. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. There’s an authenticity and rawness with which he imbues his character. It would be an astonishing feat for any actor, but when the person in question is a child? That brings on a new level of admiration. His performance is well worth the heaviness of this film.
There’s a lot to be troubled by with this story’s subject matter. Extreme poverty, lack of compassion, and neglect for human life are a lot to take. We all think it’s a necessary film, though. It’s all too easy to forget that our lives are probably better than we think they are. We lack the perspective we need to appreciate our lives to the fullest. This film can give that very necessary shot of perspective. It’s powerful and worth anyone’s time.
(Recorded on June 07, 2021)
Links to Stuff We Mentioned:
Amy Saves Starship UK | Doctor Who - YouTube
Boluwatife Treasure Bankole - IMDb
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