Set in Beirut, Capernaum follows the life of Zain (Zain al Rafeea), an imprisoned 12-year-old who’s suing his parents for bringing him into the world. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Capernaum is driven by alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming performances from its nonprofessional actors (who director Nadine Labaki asked to improvise in many scenes), specifically al Rafeea, who carries himself with the exhaustion and world-weary cynicism of someone many decades older. At times, the film can be difficult to watch; prepare for intense depictions of malnourished, neglected, poverty-stricken kids and child marriage. However, even when it’s presenting a grimly realistic view of humanity, flashes of humor and resilience ultimately make Capernaum feel hopeful. by Ciara Dolan