Where Do We Go Now?

In a small village in Lebanon, tensions arise between Christians and Muslims in this cinematic gem, which was screened at Arab Film Days in 2012.

Livestock in the mosque and chicken blood in the baptismal font. Such provocations spark tensions in a small Lebanese village surrounded by landmines. The residents – Christians and Muslims who have lived side by side for years – struggle under the added pressure that isolation brings. But when division threatens the small community, the village’s women step in. With creative ideas, they try to prevent conflict at any cost. They stage miracles and hire a group of Ukrainian showgirls to lighten the mood.

When one of the village’s sons is killed, his mother hides her grief and pretends he is bedridden with mumps. Meanwhile, the other women devise a detailed plan to prevent the men from resorting to violence when the truth comes to light.

Despite the comedic elements, the film's theme is deeply serious. Conflicts along ethnic and religious lines persist in Lebanon and other Arab countries, even though Arabs stood united during the revolutions of 2011.

Where Do We Go Now? premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 and won awards at several festivals following its premiere, including the Toronto Film Festival, the Stockholm Film Festival, and the Films from the South Festival here in Oslo.

Archive 2012

Arab Film Days X Carls

The screening of WHERE DO WE GO NOW? on Sunday April 6th at 14.00 will be in the Wine Bar at Carls. Hummus will be served and Lebanese wine can bought in the bar. 

The event is done in collaboration with Carls.

Director

Nadine Labaki (b. 1974) is a Lebanese director and actress. Unlike many other Arab filmmakers, she received her film education in her home country, at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. She was discovered after directing short films and music videos, and all three of her feature films have been screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

This film is part of