Caramel (PG)

Forget the bloody battles…. This is a vision of of everyday Beirut through its backstreets. Centred on a beauty parlour where sugar, water and lemon juice combined removes feminine hair – but not without difficulty. Labaki, who is the director, plays the still unmarried thirty-something having an affair with a married man. Her Muslim co-worker is a bride to be, but not quite as virginal as might be required and, together with a tomboy masseuse, they create a heady mix of stories, events and misadventures. A wonderfully charming film, beautifully filmed, that appeals across generations. Next time you go for a ‘blue rinse’ think about the possible traumas of the staff – or maybe not!