In Caramel, the lives of five Lebanese women intertwine in a Beirut beauty salon that becomes a colourful microcosm of several generations of women confronting the hypocrisy of a constraining social system. Layale (Labaki) is the mistress of a married man. Nisrine will soon have a traditional Muslim wedding, but she is no longer a virgin. Rima is attracted to other women. Jamale is obsessed by her looks and aging. Rose has sacrificed her life to care for her older sister. Torn between Eastern traditions and Western modernism, these women share intimate and provocative opinions about men, sex and motherhood. Friendship and trust will carry them through their difficult love choices, protected secrets and stolen moments of happiness.

Writer-director Nadine Labaki joins Amanda Palmer at a Q&A to talk about what inspired her to choose modern social themes in a country where most films are dominated by the shadow of the 1975-1990 civil war.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry talks about her latest film, Things We Lost in the Fire

It has been five years since Halle Berry won the Best Actress Oscar for her powerful performance in Monster's Ball. She finally returns to the type of intense drama that won her that prize, with Things We Lost in the Fire.

 

Directed by Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier, known for her bruising dramas, the film tells the story of an upscale housewife who is grieving the unexpected loss of her husband with the help of his best friend – a drug addict whom she had long despised – played by Benicio Del Toro.

 

Amanda Palmer meets Halle Berry in an exclusive interview to talk about her career and how she has been struggling to find her footing since her success in 2001.

 

Dario Argento

 

Amanda Palmer meets the master of European cult horror

Considered the master of European cult horror, 66-year-old Dario Argento has recently completed the long-awaited finale of his Three Mothers trilogy. 

 

Following his much beloved Suspiria (1977) and Inferno (1980), The Third Mother is, once again, about witches, nightmares, and, above all, hyper-stylish visuals. 

 

Amanda Palmer meets Argento in a dungeon museum in Rome to talk about his gory filmmaking, and why he waited 30 years to complete the trilogy.

 

Heart of Fire

 

Heart of Fire follows young Senait, a child soldier who took the decision never to kill

Based on Senait Mehari's best-selling memoir, Heart of Fire is about child soldiers who served Eritrean guerrilla troops fighting for independence against Ethiopia during the 1970s and '80s. 

 

The film follows young Senait, given away by her father to the Eritrean Liberation Front, and portrays her struggles as she challenges the leaders' authority with her risky decision never to kill.

 

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Luigi Falorni (Oscar-nominated for The Story of the Weeping Camel), the filmmakers had to overcome many obstacles before and during production, including an outright ban by the Eritrean government.

 

Watch part one of this episode of The Fabulous Picture Show on YouTube

 

Watch part two of this episode of The Fabulous Picture Show on YouTube

This episode of The Fabulous Picture Show aired from December 1, 2007.