CANNES — Lebanese actress-turned-helmer Nadine Labaki, whose latest film “Where Do We Go Now” won prizes in Cannes and Toronto, is set to direct her third pic, “Cafarnaúm” (Capernaum), a $4 million feature set in a Middle Eastern town.
Labaki is reteaming with her regular French producer, Anne-Dominique Toussaint at Les Films des Tournelles — the Paris-based outfit behind this year’s Directors Fortnight player “Tour de France” directed by Rachid Djaidani. Labaki and her husband, Khaled Mouzanar, who is a popular music composer, will co-produce via their newly-launched outfit in Lebanon. “Cafarnaúm” (Capernaum) wil start shooting at the end of the summer in Liban.
The script – now completed — is based on an original story penned by Labaki Jihad Hojeily whose credits include “Caramel” and “Where Do We Go Now” (pictured above).
A political and contemporary fable in the vein of Labaki’s first two movies, “Cafarnaum” centers around a child who rebels against the life he’s been imposed and launches a lawsuit.
“‘Cafarnaum’ will have the same humour et humanity as Nadine Labaki’s last films – it will mix fiction and documentary-style realism and will star all fresh new faces, mostly non-professionals,” said Toussaint.
Although “Cafarnaum” will shoot in Lebanon, the story takes place in an undefined Middle Eastern region which is going through a political and social crisis.
Toussaint is currently in talks to lock the distribution and international sales for the movie.
“Where Do We Go Now” world premiered at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, won a special mention of the Ecumenical jury, and went on to play at San Sebastian and Toronto where it won the audience prize.
Labaki’s feature debut, “Caramel,” opened at Directors’ Fortnight and won three nods in San Sebastian, among a flurry of prizes.
