Caramel (2007)

I was recently entranced by a foreign film called, “Caramel”… the story of four lebanese women working in a beauty salon in Beirut, though a story that’s been done before, it seems to feel new and refreshing because of the culture and setting.

Lebanon is one of those countries I’m not too familiar with. I once performed at a Lebanese wedding reception and the people were wonderful. They wanted some Lebanese music which we never played before, but I am familiar with basic Middle Eastern percussion patterns. We started something akin to a “jam session” and the crowd loved it and just told us to keep playing while everyone on the dance floor gyrated like there was no tomorrow… and I think we played this one thing for the next 45 minutes or so. It was pretty incredible.

Anyway, “Caramel” refers to the caramel mixture that is used for waxing, or removing hair, in Lebanese culture. It is symbolic of the bittersweetness of life, and love… the caramel is sweet but used as a waxing product is painful, thus the bittersweetness of the lives of the four Lebanese women, as they struggle between the modern world and their culture and traditions.

The Movie Trailer on YouTube

This is a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it. It’s the first movie I’ve seen coming from Lebanon, and it was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival, but was sadly ignored at the Oscars. Nadine Labaki, the film’s main actor, director and co-writer is wonderful in this movie.

An Interview with actor/director/writer Nadine Labaki