Making History, Rami Malek and Nadine Labaki's Capernaum Both Nominated for Oscars
Yesterday, history was made when the Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts announced the 2019 Oscar nominations with Egyptian-American Rami Malek nominated as best actor for his role in “Bohemian Rhapsody”–possibly becoming the first Arab American to receive an Oscar. Also, the Academy of Motion Pictures announced the nomination of the best foreign film which went to the critically acclaimed film, Capernaum by Lebanese producer, director, and actress, Nadine Labaki–the first Arab woman filmmaker to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Rami Malek was nominated for his role as Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the English rock band, Queen in the film Bohemian
Malek is known more popularly for his role as Elliot Anderson in the USA Network TV series, Mr. Robot.
Raised in Los Angeles as a child of Egyptian (Coptic) parents, Malek absorbed his parents love of such Egyptian heroes as Umm al-Kulthum and Omar Sharif. He speaks Arabic. His Egyptian roots have influenced his devotion to the idea of diversity, both in Hollywood and in America generally.
Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the work of so many from the cast and crew who made all of this possible. I have absolutely treasured playing Freddie Mercury and I am so profoundly humbled and thrilled to honor him this way.
— Rami Malek (@ItsRamiMalek) January 22, 2019
Speaking at the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2016, where he won Best Actor in a Drama Series, Malek spoke about diversity. “For me to stand here as not the typical leading man and to come home with this speaks a lot about where we’re headed,” Rami said in his backstage interview. “I think we can just keep going further in that direction. It’s not just limited to entertainment, but socially and politically… we continue and strive to be as progressive as possible.”
Malek’s Egyptian immigrant parents worked to give him and his siblings the careers they have today. The Malek family comes from the ancient Coptic Christian minority of Egypt. Rami’s father was a tour guide in Cairo before moving his family to California for better work opportunities.
Film trailer here:
Nadine Labaki’s film Capernaum is a brilliantly directed Lebanese drama which focuses on the life of a young Syrian refugee, Zain (played by Zain Al Rafeea), who takes his parents to court for neglect. Zain’s story is about a child attempting to survive in Lebanon’s slums and is revolutionary because Labaki cast mostly non-professional actors. This coming of age tale shows the life of a child looking for his identity in the midst of the chaotic world happening around him.
Nadine’s hope for the film was to represent invisible communities by using real people instead of actors. A film she defines as “homemade”, attempts to be a film that anyone can relate to. “[the actors are] representing these invisible communities. The film is trying to convey their voice, to be a vehicle for their voice so that it resonates louder and louder.” Labaki is grateful for any nomination she receives because they “allow the problem to be more out there and helps shed the light on this issue, specifically on children’s rights. I hope that issue will have an even larger exposure now.”
Director @NadineLabaki and producer @mouzanar watching the #Oscar nominations live. Thank you the Academy for recognizing our film. We are incredibly touched and thrilled. pic.twitter.com/QNlfYlNl6b
— Capharnaum (@capharnaumfilm) January 22, 2019
This film has won this year’s Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and was also nominated for the Best Foreign language Film at the 2019 Critics’ Choice Awards. Capernaum is the first Lebanese film to be featured in the Oscars.
Film trailer here:
The 91st Academy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, February 24th on ABC at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific. Arab Americans from across the U.S. will be watching to see if Malek wins the best actor category and Capernaum and Labaki win as Lebanon’s first submission of best foreign film.
Compiled by Arab America