Capernaum Blu-Ray

For anyone who is familiar with Nadine Labaki's other two feature films (as director), “Capernaum” is very different in terms of the feeling of the film. All three of her feature films, I think are superb but this one is even better.“Capernaum” has, for me, one of the best performances from a lead actor that I've seen for a very long time, and possibly ever! The lead actor – Zain Al Rafeea, in real life, a Syrian refugee who, in his role as the main character “Zain” plays a Lebanese child, who has a childhood that is unlike anything that most people watching the film would recognise as a childhood. He has a head on his shoulders that is much more mature than his age. He is savvy, he is brave, he is exploited by his family (though perhaps neither Zain nor his parents might think this) and he incredibly protective and empathetic.“Capernaum” grabs your attention and doesn't leave go of it for the two hours that the film is. It is two hours of unrelenting and harrowing imagery and story, it is hardship, and all delivered, as I say, with one of the best performances you might ever see from a lead actor – in this case from a young actor in his first cinematic role. Much of the film is shocking, and distressing, and all of it appears very realistic.“Capernaum” isn't a documentary, though you could be forgiven for thinking so. Hand held cameras are used a good deal, giving intimate shots of the action, which helps to give that that documentary feel to the film. The supporting cast are also incredible. How Zain (the character and the actor) interacts with his family in “Capernaum” could convince anyone watching that they are in fact all blood-relatives yet incredibly – they are not. Another major supporting cast member is Yordanos Shiferaw who plays Rahil. Yordanos Shiferaw and another (non acting) cast member provide Zain with some of the films most memorable episodes in the film and again all delivered with incredible skill.I have deliberately not given any plot details as I think that this is a film where the less that is known by way of a synopsis – the better. I'd say though that as far as the story is concerned the narrative is given in part in flashbacks, and it works well to explain what is going on in Zain's incredible life. Though the film is fiction, it is educative in that way that cinema often is when it is about something that the viewer is unfamiliar with.If you watch this film, you might well feel emotionally drained by the end of it, and whilst it is one of those film that you might find it difficult to apply “enjoyable” to, one could certainly apply “memorable” and “thought-provoking” to it.That “Capernaum” has been nominated for and in many cases won, awards in different categories at numerous film festivals is no surprise to me. Zain (the actor) has a new life in a new country now and if he never acts again, his performance in “Capernaum” I'm sure, will still be one of the best that could be seen from any actor – but with a bit of luck he will continue to perform.On the DVD (ASIN: B07RZ7Q8PR) you get:“Capernaum” (two hours)Scene SelectionSet Up: 5.1 Dolby Digital, 2.0 StereoSpecial Features:“Capernaum – A Look Behind The scenes” (twelve minutes)Theatrical TrailerThe English Subtitles are on screen superimposed on the picture for the main film (and are not optional) rather than underneath the picture, which I think would have been better. The subtitles are small (unnecessarily so I would suggest) and I had a problem reading them as I have an eye condition but to be fair others might not have a problem.Strangely, for the Behind the Scenes feature, English Subtitles are optional and are bigger than those of the main feature.

I bought this film so I could find out what the final ten minutes of the film look like. I saw this originally at The Cameo in Edinburgh and was crying so hard I could no longer see the screen.If Rami Malek were any kind of artist he would hand over his Oscar to young Zain Al Rafeea - James Dean meets Oliver Twist - for his once in a lifetime performance. After you watch this film, look him up on wikipedia (thank me later).An uncommonly beautiful film.

How on earth did they manage to film this. A remarkable film telling a story we need to hear.

This was the most moving film I’ve seen in decades.

A good film with a message

Just brilliant.......

this film is an extraordinary story of love and hardship between siblings that does not sentimentalize, portrayed with respect in poorest Beirut .recommended

Classic case of very small white subtitles against very pale or white backgrounds. A lousy job all the way around and a hopelessly one-note film.