3rd I New York

In Celebration of Arab Heritage Week and co-sponsored by The Arab Anti Discrimination Committee, New York (ADC)

Caramel by Nadine Labaki

Two Boots Pioneer Theater
Trains: F to 2nd Ave, 6 to Astor, R,W to 8 St.
Tickets: $10 Adults / $6.50 Pioneer Members

In Beirut, five women meet regularly in a beauty salon, a colorful and sensual microcosm of the city where several generations mix, talk and confide in each other. In the salon, the women's intimate and liberatedconversations revolve around men, sex and motherhood, in between haircuts and sugar waxing with caramel. Nisrine (Yasmine Al Masri) is a spirited bombshell on the verge of marrying a conservative Muslim even though she is no longer a virgin. Jamale (Gisele Aouad), an aging actress and divorced mother of two, goes to absurd lengths to hold back time. Rima (Joanna Moukarzel) suppresses her attraction to women, until her own dream girl walks through the door. Seamstress Rose (Siham Haddad) deflects the attentions of a gentleman suitor to care for her older sister. And Layale (played by the stunning Labaki), the owner and lifeblood of the salon, carries on a hopeless affair with a married man. When her lover beeps his car horn outside the shop, the other women roll their eyes, but they let her go.

Born in Lebanon in 1974, Nadine Labaki studied media at Saint-Joseph University in Beirut. Her school film project was awarded in Paris in 1998. She went on to directing commercials and musical clips for well known Middle-Eastern artists. In 2004, she attended the Résidence du Festival de Cannes to write Caramel.

About the Presenting Organizations:

3rd I New York's monthly film and music salon designed by local filmmakers and experimental djs showcases the works of independent filmmakers of South Asian descent and local djs, musicians and electronica artists. Providing alternative forums for South Asian filmmakers who often have few venues to showcase their work not only increases their visibility, but also provides a social forum for peers and audiences to participate in an ongoing discussion.

Alwan for the Arts serves the Arab community and educates the broader public by showcasing a range cultural events; thereby enriching the cross-cultural and artistic encounter. Since 1998, Alwan for the Arts has played a leading role in promoting the diverse cultures of the Arab countries in New York City. It organized film festivals and screenings, book/poetry readings and signings, lectures and conferences, art exhibits, musical and theatrical performances, and language and literature classes. In 2003, Alwan established a center in lower Manhattan which provides a physical base for its diverse cultural activities.

ADC is a grassroots civil rights organization which welcomes people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities as members. It was founded in Washington, DC by in 1980 ADC has members in all 50 states - and it is the largest Arab American organization of its kind.