Caramel

In 2007 Lebanon has attracted attention with a number of exciting productions. Nadine Labaki’s Caramel is definitely one of them.This is a feel-good comedy of the romantic sort where the everyday lives of five Lebanese women are central. A colourful beauty salon is what ties them together and each has her own complicated life to grapple with. Layale loves Rabih, but he is unfortunately married. Nisrine is a Moslem about to get married. There is just one problem: she is not a virgin. Rima is attracted to women and this secret is causing her great mental agony. Jamale refuses to grow up and Rose has sacrificed herself to take care of her elder sister. Life at the beauty salon is full of laughter, tears and passionate thoughts about both sexes. And the film’s name is absolutely not chosen by accident. Sticky caramel is the brilliant but surely not pleasant solution to the problem of hairy legs.

Caramel is Nadine Labaki’s directorial debut and she also acts in it. Labaki succeeds in balancing all its emotions in an impressive way, without it ever becoming sentimental or superficial. Caramel is cinematically elegant with an inviting musical score – a colourful and attractive potpourri of modern Lebanon. A film that will put a smile on your face and make you happy! ls