This is not a pretty movie but it’s a beautiful story. It follows a streetwise boy in Beirut who leaves home and survives in the squalor on the streets, even for a period of time with a baby. Ultimately, he’s arrested for a crime and goes to court, where he sues his parents for giving him life. In the central role, Zain al Rafeea is incredible: full of spunk and grit. The performance (if you can call it that) from the 1-year-old is also astounding. Actually, all of the actors create powerful characters and director Nadine Labaki has captured their chaotic life of poverty with humanity and off-hand skill (the title translates to “Chaos”). Like many foreign films, there’s a less-structured narrative and the neorealistic documentary style sometimes feels aimless. Ultimately, this film will break your heart and touch your soul. (In Lebanese with subtitles at Criterion Cinemas only)
(4.5 / 5)