The French word Capernaum means chaos or a chaotic assortment of goods. Nadine Labaki’s movie, Capernaum, centers around the precarious chaos of those living in Beirut without residency papers. The main character, Zain (played by actor Zain Al Rafeea) is Lebanese but, growing up in abject poverty, his family can’t afford official papers. His sister, Sahar (played by actress Cedra Izam), is eventually turned away from the hospital despite a life-threatening medical emergency because the family is undocumented.

The film follows Zain after he leaves home due to a brawl with his parents, Selim and Souad. Zain gets off the bus at a local amusement park and is fortunate to meet Rahil (played by actress Yordanos Shiferaw), an undocumented Ethiopian worker. Rahil lets Zain look after her infant son, Yonas, in exchange for room and board. But Rahil has her own struggles and must constantly hide her son, Yonas, to avoid deportation. The film focuses on the struggles of Zain and Rahil, though periodically returns to the perspective of Zain’s parents, who’re being sued by their son for bringing him into this difficult world. 

Capernaum is primarily in Lebanese Arabic with a few scenes in Amharic. It’s available on Amazon to rent or buy with English, but not Arabic subtitles.

Vocabulary / مفردات

6:40
اشي مسجل
Something recorded

7:11
طعن بسكين
To stab with a knife

7:16
ابن كلب
Son of a bitch

7:45
خلفوني
They gave birth to me

11:48
سوس
Licorice

13:15
اندومي
Ramen (brand name)

18:51
عصير
Juice

19:21
شو دخل؟
What do you want?

20:25
فرشات
Mattresses
This word is also used in the song Tayheen by Ghazall

24:20
جيرانّا
Our neighbors

31:47
تخت
A bed

33:55
صرصور
Cockroach

34:58
نزلني
Let me off [the bus]

38:39
صاحب المطعم
Restaurant owner

51:09
ورقة
Paper
In context: residency papers/permit

51:41
فليتي من عنها؟
You left her place?

54:10
تاريخ انتهاء
Expiration date

1:05:08
أرنب
Rabbit

1:05:38
خليكو هون
[You pl.] Stay here

1:16:48
”منى”
Food aid for Syrians in Lebanon
ملعب المنى
Food dispensary

1:19:17
ابريق قهوة
Pot of coffee

1:19:57
الخندق
The trenches

1:20:20
حفاضات
Diapers

1:21:28
ضعيف
Weak

1:23:44
زرف
Packet/envelope

1:28:52
صاحب الملك
Landlord

1:42:29
حماتي
My mother-in-law