Lebanon’s star filmmaker makes Oscars history with her nom

BEIRUT (AP) — This year’s Academy Awards will feature an all-male best director lineup, but there is one female director vying for a top honor at the Oscars — Lebanon’s Nadine Labaki.

Labaki’s “Capernaum ” is nominated for best foreign language film, competing against male directed entries from Japan, Germany, Poland and the presumptive favorite, Mexico’s “Roma.”

The actress-turned-director says she hopes to represent female filmmakers in “the best way possible” at February’s ceremony, and expects more women will be nominated in years to come.

“Capernaum,” named after a biblical village cursed by Jesus, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy, played by a Syrian refugee, who sues his parents for giving him life. It is now showing in select U.S. theaters.

The Oscars will be held in Los Angeles on Feb. 24.