The book feels like a writer working within his limits and not breaking any new ground, believes KEN COCKBURN
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Film round-up: February 22, 2019
The Star's critics review Capernaum, Fighting With My Family, Old Boys, On the Basis of Sex, and Cold Pursuit
PRAGYA AGARWAL recommends a collection of drawings that explore the relation of indigenous people to the land in south Asia, Africa and the Caribbean
CHRIS SEALE speaks to Palestinian sound artist BINT MBAREH
MARY CONWAY applauds a brave and timely two hander that explores the difference between intimacy and abuse
ANDY HEDGECOCK and MARIA DUARTE review The Thing with Feathers, Train Dreams, Sisu: Road to Revenge, and Wicked: For Good
GUILLERMO THOMAS welcomes a biography of WA Domingo, a key figure in the anti-colonial struggle in the Caribbean
Capernaum (15)
Directed by Nadine Labaki
★★★★★
A 12-year-old boy, jailed for a violent stabbing, sues his parents for giving him life and not living up to their parental responsibilities in this powerful and complex Oscar-nominated Lebanese drama about child neglect, abuse and poverty which makes a compelling case as to why some people should never have children.
Through the candid eyes of the charismatic Zain (Zain Al Rafeea who is a Syrian refugee himself) who survives by his resourceful wits and skills, the film also explores the plight of illegal immigrants, racism and the importance of being documented and counted in Lebanon.
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