Nadine Labaki
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| Nadine Labaki | |
|---|---|
 Nadine Labaki |
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| Born | 18 February 1974 Baabdat, Lebanon |
| Occupation | Director, Actress |
| Official website | |
Nadine Labaki (Arabic; نادين لبكي ) is a Lebanese actress and director. She is one of the well known directors in the Arabic music video industry. Nadine is usually credited for bringing artists into the scene.
In 2007, Labaki co-wrote, directed, and starred in her feautre-film debut, Caramel, which became an international sensation at film festivals and went on to achieve box office success. It showcases a Beirut that most aren't familiar with. Rather than tackle political and religious issues which have plagued Lebanon, she presents an enchanting romantic comedy that deals with five Beirut women who gather at a beauty salon and deal with love, sexuality, tradition, disappointment, and everyday ups and downs.
The film garnered Labaki much acclaim as both a director and actress, and put her on Variety's 10 Directors to Look Out for List.
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[edit] Overview
Born in the city of Baabdat, Lebanon on the 18th of February 1974. Nadine Labaki participated as a contestant on the televised talent show, Studio el fan, in the early 90's in the "directing" category. For the competition, she directed a music video, Habeebi Ya, for an amateur singer called Carla. Carla is now a well known presenter in Rotana music channel's program, Rotana Café.
Her first video wasTayr El Gharam for the Lebanese artist Pascale Machaalani. Later on, she did another two videos for Noura Rahal, but these videos didn't draw much attention to her talents. Her follow up effort, with Katia Harb for the music video of the song Ma Fina, garnered more recognition.
Labaki's real breakthrough was Nancy Ajram's video, Akhasmak Ah. The video showcased Nancy as the waitress of a traditional Egyptian coffee shop where she serves and entertains male customers. The video raised controversy, but Nadine justified her use of this character as a powerful and attractive female figure.
Nadine continued to have huge successes with Ajram in specific, in videos like "Ya Salam" (that portrays the life of a sad star), "Lawn Ouyounak" (a magical wedding), and "Inta Eih" (a heart-breaking drama in which she was able to show us Ajram's acting ability). The three videos gained huge popularity, and they were awarded with best music video honors.
Nadine also signed a Coca-Cola endorsement, where she does Coca-Cola Light commercials. So far, Nadine has done only one Coca-Cola Light TV commercial, as well as a few promotion ads for the press.
Unlike her fellow Arab directors, Labaki is known for a unique style of direction which pushes buttons and explores territories that most haven't dared venture into in the Middle East.
In an interview aired on Future Television, both Nadine and Caroline stated that their passion for production and directing is derived from their uncle (their mother's brother). They described the way he used to recount his directing visuals as if he just envisioned them.
She also started exploring acting, initially in the Lebanese movie Bosta. However, She did not perform the singing shown in the film.
In 2007, Nadine continued to escalate her career with her first feature film, entitled Caramel. Not only does she helm the picture but also takes on the lead role. The film was met with much acclaim in Lebanon and around the Middle East, reaching new heights at the box office. It also premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival during the Directors fortnight. It continued its run at several other high-profile film festivals, including the Toronto Film Festival and AFI. Now, Caramel has reached international success and grossed well over $12 million dollars (impressive considering the film only cost $1.6 million to make). It continues to expand in different countries around the world, including the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom. Labaki has managed to reach a global audience with the charming and light-hearted film which explores the complications and everyday issues presented to modern-day Beirut women struggling to maintain their traditions but evolving with the changing times.
[edit] Directing
[edit] Music Videos
2001
- Tayr el Gharam - Pascale Machaalani
- Salemly Albak - Noura Rahal
2002
- Shoflak Hall - Noura Rahal
- Ma Fina - Katia Harb
2003
- Akhasmak Ah - Nancy Ajram
- Ya Salam - Nancy Ajram
- Habib Albi - Carole Samaha
- Sehr Ouyounou - Nancy Ajram
2004
- Al-Urdun - Guy Manoukian
- Tala' Fiyi - Carole Samaha
- Ah W Noss - Nancy Ajram
- Jayi el Hakika - Star Academy
- Lawn Ouyounak - Nancy Ajram
2005
- Bahebak Mot - Yuri Mrakadi
- B'einak - Nawal Al Zoghbi
- Ya Shaghelny Beek - Nicole Saba
- Enta Eih - Nancy Ajram
2006
- I'tazalt El Gharam - Magida El Roumi
- Yatabtab...Wa Dalla' - Nancy Ajram
[edit] Movies
2007
[edit] Caramel
Caramel was sold to more than 40 countries around the world.
July 31th: Caramel is the opening movie of Paris Cinéma Film Festival
August 9th: release of Caramel in Beyrouth (a risked decision made by Nadine in order to show it in Lebanon before any other country) Result : in one week 2873 persons watched the movie. Number 1 in the lebanese box office of August and September More than 160 000 persons watched the movie in Lebanon
August 14th: release of Caramel in France. Very well welcomed by the French audience. Number 2 in the French box office in its first week. Result : More than 500 000 persons watched the movie in France.
September 11th-14th : « Soirée Gala » for Caramel in Toronto International Film Festival : First lebanese and arab movie to have this event in the history of the festival.
September 21th-27th : Caramel is present in San Sebastian International Film Festival – Spain. Very well welcomed with its Director Nadine Labaki. Result : 3 prizes : 1- Audiance Award 2- Youth Award 3- Sebastian Award
October 4th-11th: Big Prize of the Jury in Frasor Film, Oslo films of the South Festival - Norway
October 17th-21th: Caramel is present in the Middle East International Film Festival – Abu Dhabi Result : 2 prizes : 1- Nadine has scooped the Variety Middle East Filmmaker of the Year Award 2- Black Pearl for Best Actress for the ensemble Cast of Caramel 3-Nadine has received the New Arab Women Forum Award for the screening of 'Caramel' film
October 24th-27th: Caramel is present in London International Film Festival
October 23th -27th: Caramel receives the big Prize "Le Mascarin" for the best movie in La Réunion Film Festival - France
October 30th - Novembre 3th: Caramel is present in Casablanca International Film Festival - Morocco
November 3th-10th: Caramel receives the award of Best Actress for the ensemble Cast In Damascus International Film Festival - Syria
November 9th-14th: Caramel is present in Asian Pacific Screen Awards Film Festival - Australia with 3 nominations : Best Feature, Best Director and Best Actress.
November 16th-25th: Caramel receives « Prima Opera » award for the best debut feature in Saint Luis International Film Festival - Argentine
November 2sd 2007: Nadine, guest of CNN in "Inside the Middle East" program.
November 15th-25th: Caramel receives FIPRESCI prize (international federation of film critics) in Stockholm Film Festival – Sweden
November 26th –december 1st: Caramel receives the big prize in the International Woman in Direction festival – Spain
November 27th – December 7th: Caramel receives a Special Mention for best arab movie in Cairo International Film Festival - Egypt
Caramel is the regional premiere of the official Lebanese entry for the Academy Awards Foreign Language Film.
[edit] Acting
- Ramad (Ashes)
- The Seventh Dog (a short film)
- Bosta (Autobus)
- Caramel or Sukkar Banat (Arabic: سكر بنات) (premiered in Cannes 2007)
