Nadine Labaki

Nadine Labaki (born February 18, 1974) is a Lebanese filmmaker, actress, and activist. She has directed four feature films, Caramel (2007), Where Do We Go Now? (2011), Capernaum (2018), and Costa Brava, Lebanon (2021). Her films have been critically acclaimed and have received numerous awards, including the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Labaki's films often explore social and political issues in Lebanon, such as the role of women in society, the conflict between religion and secularism, and the refugee crisis.

Labaki was born in Baabdat, Lebanon, to a Maronite Christian family. She studied audiovisual communication at the Lebanese University and began her career as a television director. In 2007, she released her debut feature film, Caramel, which was a critical and commercial success. The film tells the story of five Lebanese women from different backgrounds who come together at a beauty salon. Caramel was praised for its honest and nuanced portrayal of women's lives in Lebanon.

Labaki's second feature film, Where Do We Go Now?, was released in 2011. The film tells the story of a group of women in a small Lebanese village who band together to prevent a religious war between Christians and Muslims. Where Do We Go Now? was a critical and commercial success, and it won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize.

Labaki's third feature film, Capernaum, was released in 2018. The film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Zain who sues his parents for bringing him into a world of poverty and neglect. Capernaum was a critical and commercial success, and it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Labaki's fourth feature film, Costa Brava, Lebanon, was released in 2021. The film tells the story of a family who leaves Beirut for a small village in order to escape the political and economic turmoil in Lebanon. Costa Brava, Lebanon was a critical and commercial success.

In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Labaki is also an activist. She is a vocal supporter of women's rights and has spoken out against the Syrian refugee crisis. In 2020, she was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.

Labaki is one of the most acclaimed and influential filmmakers in Lebanon. Her films have been praised for their honesty, their humor, and their insights into Lebanese society. She is a powerful voice for social justice and a role model for women around the world.