Nadine Labaki - An Inspirationn

Nadine Labaki is a blessing to the cinematic world. She is one of the few Arabic female directors that shine the light on the struggles of women in society, specifically in Middle Eastern communities.

There are not many women like Labaki whom I can truly look up to. We hear all about those American female movie makers, European, etc. but no one ever cares enough to talk about Arabs in the movie industry, specifically Arab female movie makers in the movie industry. Many minorities complain about not getting representation in the mainstream movie culture, but from my perspective, Arabs get the least representation in terms of what is considered mainstream and in Blockbusters.

Leaving that aside for now since this post is really about how I find strength and motivation in Nadine, and how much I admire her hard work and dedication in telling the stories about the women who are always falling behind in a background. She gives us a platform to truly express ourselves, and gives us hope that maybe we will have more talented female movie makers in the Middle East.

Today happens to be her birthday, so here are a few facts about her and her best 3 movies.

• Labaki obtained a degree in audiovisual studies at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, directing her graduation film, 11 Rue Pasteur, in 1997, which won the Best Short Film Award at the Biennale of Arab Cinema at the Arab World Institute in Paris. In 1998, she attended a workshop in acting at the Cours Florent in Paris. She went on to direct advertisements and music videos for renowned Middle Eastern singers, for which she won several awards.

• In 2005, Labaki took part in the Cannes Film Festival Residence in order to write Caramel, her first feature film. In 2006, she went on to direct and play one of the lead roles in Caramel, which showcases a Beirut that most people are not familiar with.

• In 2010, Labaki directed and starred in her second feature film, Where Do We Go Now?, which tackles with humor a delicate subject about a village in which church and mosque stand side by side, and in which women try to keep their blowhard men from starting a religious war.

• She was selected to be on the jury for the Un Certain Regard section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

Movies of Nadine Labaki's that you must watch:

1. Caramel

A beauty salon in Beirut is a safe haven for five women in this Lebanese romantic comedy. Shop owner Layale (Nadine Labaki) consults her employees about a problematic affair, stylist Rima (Joanna Markouzel) does not know how to handle her attraction to a female client, and seamstress Rose abandons her own ambitions to care for her family. With the support of their friends in their familiar salon, the women search for the answers to questions of life, love and happiness.

2. Where Do We Go Now (هلأ لوين) - Et maintenant, on va ou?

Muslim and Christian women (Claude Baz Moussawbaa, Layla Hakim, Nadine Labaki) join forces to stem the tide of violence in their war-torn Middle Eastern village.

3. Rock The Casbah

Family problems are revealed when a woman returns home for her father's funeral.

And last but not least, let's enjoy this quick interview where she talks about how she became the incredible director she is now.

Okay, now I've expressed my love for her. I doubt she will ever see this, like, ever. But whoever sees this will now know who my movie heroine is and hopefully if you've never heard of this legend before, then you have now.

Joyeux anniversaire, Nadine.