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Capernaum 2018

In "Capernaum", a feisty young boy named Zain takes the unprecedented step of suing his parents for the "crime" of giving him life, sparking an extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and redemption as he navigates the treacherous streets of Beirut.

In "Capernaum", a feisty young boy named Zain takes the unprecedented step of suing his parents for the "crime" of giving him life, sparking an extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and redemption as he navigates the treacherous streets of Beirut.

Does Capernaum have end credit scenes?

No!

Capernaum does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Capernaum

Explore the complete cast of Capernaum, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Capernaum

See how Capernaum is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Capernaum stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

75

Metascore

8.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

90%

TOMATOMETER

review

93%

User Score

IMDb

8.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

81

%

User Score

Letterboxd

4.2

From 2.4K fan ratings

Movie Insider

4.50/5

From 8 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Capernaum Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Capernaum with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Capernaum Quiz: Test your knowledge of the impactful film 'Capernaum' and its poignant story about childhood and neglect.

Who is the main character of 'Capernaum'?

Awards & Nominations for Capernaum

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Capernaum, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Capernaum and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


91st Academy Awards 2019

Nomination

Foreign Language Film

72nd British Academy Film Awards 2019

Nomination

Best Film Not in the English Language

24th Critics' Choice Awards 2019

Nomination

Best Foreign Language Film

76th Golden Globe Awards 2019

Nomination

Best Foreign Language Film

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Capernaum

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Read the complete plot summary of Capernaum, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Zain El Hajj is a 12-year-old boy from the impoverished neighborhoods of Beirut, currently serving a five-year sentence in Roumieh Prison for stabbing a man he refers to disdainfully as a “son of a bitch.” The irony of Zain’s predicament is that neither he nor his parents can specify his birth date, as they have never obtained an official birth certificate. His current situation leads him to take the unprecedented step of bringing his parents, his mother Souad and father Selim, to court for neglect. When the judge inquires about his motive for suing them, Zain simply states, > “Because I was born.”

As the narrative unfolds, we flash back to the tumultuous months leading up to Zain’s arrest. His life is a daily struggle, as he takes care of seven younger siblings who, instead of pursuing education, engage in various schemes for money. Zain turns to illegal activities, using forged prescriptions to obtain tramadol pills, which he sells to drug addicts in prison. In efforts to support his family, he also works as a delivery boy for Assad, their landlord, often caught in the harsh realities of their existence.

In a particular incident, Zain aids his 11-year-old sister Sahar in hiding evidence of her first menstruation, fearing she will be forced into marriage with Assad if their parents discover that she is now of childbearing age. Zain dreams of escaping their grim life with Sahar, but tragedy strikes as their parents marry her off to Assad in a bargain involving two chickens. Infuriated, Zain runs away and boards a bus, where he encounters an elderly man known as “Cockroach Man,” who wears a knock-off Spider-Man costume. The man leads Zain to Luna Park, where Zain finds solace in the beauty of a sunset while riding the Ferris wheel.

At Luna Park, Zain meets Rahil, a young Ethiopian migrant worker who takes a compassionate interest in him. She allows Zain to stay with her in her makeshift home in return for babysitting her infant son, Yonas. Unfortunately, Rahil faces her own set of challenges as her forged documents are about to expire, jeopardizing her ability to remain in the country. Aspro, who has the power to renew her documents, exploits Rahil’s vulnerable situation, proposing to help her only if she relinquishes Yonas for adoption. Despite the dire consequences, she adamantly refuses.

Tragedy deepens when Rahil is arrested, and Zain, now solely responsible for caring for Yonas, claims the two are siblings. In a desperate bid to survive, he begins selling tramadol once again. During an outing at Souk Al Ahad, Zain meets Maysoun, a Syrian refugee who has aspirations of being sent to Sweden by Aspro. Driven by the desire for a better life, Zain reluctantly agrees to give Yonas to Aspro in exchange for his own escape plan.

Upon returning home to secure his identification, Zain is met with laughter and disrespect from his parents, whom he has effectively disowned due to their treatment of him. In a shocking revelation, they inform him that Sahar has died during childbirth, pushing Zain to a breaking point. Fueled by rage, he attacks Assad with a knife and finds himself arrested, marking the beginning of his harsh journey in prison.

During a visit, Zain learns from his mother that she is once again expecting a child, naming it Sahar in a twisted homage to her deceased sister. Overwhelmed with disgust at his mother’s seeming indifference to the grief they have endured, Zain opts to cut ties with her, labeling her “heartless.” Using his time in prison to spotlight the negligence of parents like his own, he contacts the media to advocate for children in similar situations, declaring his intent to sue for their unfit parenting.

Zain’s courage leads to a turning point when he states in court, “I want them to stop having children,” emphasizing the suffering his family has inflicted upon him. His efforts result in a raid on Aspro’s house, leading to the reunion of separated children with their parents, including Yonas and Rahil.

In a poignant moment of reinstating his identity, Zain poses for a photo for his ID card. The photographer lightens the mood with a joke, saying, “It’s your ID card, not your death certificate,” prompting Zain to crack a smile for the first time.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Capernaum

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Capernaum. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official US Trailer

Official US Trailer 2

Official UK Trailer

Cars Featured in Capernaum

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Explore all cars featured in Capernaum, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


BMW

3 E30

BMW

730i E32

Chevrolet

1987

Corsica

Daewoo

1995

Cielo

Datsun

mi-DO

Hino

300

Hyundai

2011

Accent

Hyundai

1996

H100

Jeep

1999

Grand Cherokee

Kia

Picanto

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


povertyprisonchild marriagebabystreet childbreast feedingtitle directed by femalef ratedboy12 year olddoctorcourtroomjudgeethiopianbeirut lebanonslumcleaning ladytoddlerslaverymother child separationunderage pregnancyrunawayidentification paperschild abusechild protagonisttold in flashbackshopkeeperbabysittertrialsurvival11 year oldbabysittingtheftcoming of ageone word title12 year old boyflashbackbusbrother sister relationshipfirst menstruationmenstruationrefugeeaudio cassettelactationbaby bottleice cubecatskateboardmoneychild trafficking

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About Capernaum

Stay updated on Capernaum with in-depth articles, critical reviews, and ending explainers. Explore hidden meanings, major themes, and expert insights into the film’s story and impact.


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