Lebanese pop video direction queen Nadine Labaki’s first film just raised the bar for Lebanese films, or for that matter of films in general, realises Rituparna Chatterjee

Boil water, toss in some sugar, blend in a dash of lime juice and voila you get Sukkar Banat (Caramel) - the irresistibly sweet and sticky concoction used for waxing purposes in what actor-director Nadine Labaki calls “our part of the world.” And that’s the first thing about her delightful debut drama/romantic comedy Caramel. Its warm lighting, colourful ambience, playful mood and inviting exotica do not seem as Lebanese as Mediterranean in general. The setting might as well have been Spain or even old world France; you wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference. But then, Labaki’s focus is not as much on Lebanon’s socio-political turbulence or religious mayhem as it is on personal turmoil.

In sync with its title, Labaki’s film is based in Si Belle, a seemingly-insignificant local Beirut beauty salon. It revolves around the battles, victories and lives of an assortment of women of various shapes, sizes and ages. Like women all over the world, they too come to the salon to look beautiful, but also to bond and to gossip. Salon-owner Layale (Labaki) leads the pack. She spends most of her time waiting for her married boyfriend’s calls. She is frustrated at her boyfriend’s negligence of her but ultimately manages to get out of her love trap and settle for a cop (Adel Karam) who is smitten with her. Her beautiful co-worker and close friend Nisrine (Yasmine Elmasri) is worried that her marriage might get called off if her fiancé and his folks discover that she is not a virgin. Aging actress, divorcée and client Jamale (Gisele Aouad) struggles to compete with younger models in bagging TV commercials. Due to societal pressure, tomboy Rima (Joanna Moukarzel), also a co-worker has to hide her lesbian urges. Her only sexual outlet is to wash a complying client’s hair. Then, there is the graceful seamstress Aunt Rose (Siham Haddad) who yearns for love but has to abandon her dreams because of her difficult and mentally challenged sister Lili (Aziza Semaan).

The girls help each other out in their struggles. Their constant gift to each other is love, loyalty, friendship, comfort and catharsis. And it is a far cry from the shallow bonding over brands, bags and Botox in another recent women-oriented film, Sex and the City. The female camaraderie of Caramel is realistic and believable, the battles are real, and the issues are genuine. This is why the film has been such a universal hit with audiences all over the world, despite Labaki dedicating Caramel to “My Beirut”.

Issues apart, Caramel is a visual delight with beautiful, charming and seductive camera work. Scenes like Rima washing her crush’s hair are shot with a rare tenderness that does justice to a fragile, blossoming love. In spite of its gluey title, the film moves rather smoothly with no stickiness whatsoever. The acting is just as skilled as the editing. Labaki is perfect as Layale. All the other characters, including minor characters, are convincing and play their roles flawlessly. The soundtrack by Khaled Mouzannar - especially Succar Ya Banat and Mreyte Ya Mreyte

- is powerful, soothing and just as lovely. Every cinematic aspect of the film - be it direction, editing, soundtrack or acting - is simply wonderful. It is difficult to believe that this beautiful tour de force is a first film. No wonder, Caramel is Lebanon’s official entry for the 2008 Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Final words of wisdom, Caramel is a must-watch film for women and men alike, especially men who are afraid of a phenomenon called “chic flicks”.
My Rating:

This film is running in Delhi and Bangalore

PVR Select City (Delhi) 9:20 PM, PVR MGF (Gurgaon) 9:50 PM
Bangalore PVR Forum Mall 12:20 PM and 8:15 PM

Your Rating

Recommended...

Cannes Festival Cinéfondation Workshop project list announced

Venice: Kechiche to judge debut films

Cold Lunch to be served in Venice

Wim Wenders to preside over Venice Jury

World Cinema: Films to Look Forward to This Weekend