October 01, 2012

Where Do We Go Now? (2011)

Directed by: Nadine Labaki
Country: Lebanon / others

Plot: A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village.
Review: Battle of religions is the main subject in Nadine Labaki’s new movie. Fights between Christians and Muslims are eminent in a small Lebanese village, just when a group of girls arrive from East Europe. A movie made of laughs, tears and music/dance, which sometimes breaks the mood and somehow discredits the message to pass. We can complain about the abrupt tragic-comic changes of the plot but the biggest sin of Labaki was not to be able of balancing the heavy and light stuff in the right way. Nadine and her sister Caroline (costume design), also participate as actresses.
Relevant awards: Special mention (Cannes); audience award (Oslo and Toronto).

3 comments:

  1. I disagree that the movie fails to pass the message. In my opinion, the tragic-comic changes of the plot add quality to the movie in the way that it explores a serious and delicate problem without being hyper-dramatic.

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  2. Hi Ana, thanks for posting! I believe that the main problem with this movie was exactly the director's urge in create a light movie from a heavy subject. At my eyes, the movie passes the message but not so firmly as it should. However, I agree that increasing the dramatic approach wouldn't resolve the issue.

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  3. "Caramel" is another good movie directed by Labaki, recommend it.

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