The Lebanese drama “Capernaum†made waves at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year when it opened to a lengthy standing ovation, was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or, and ultimately won the grand jury prize.
But unlike so many of the drama entries at the renowned film festival, “Capernaum†is unique in that it features a group of first-time actors. However, director Nadine Labaki said she wouldn’t have had it any another way.
“It was not even a choice,†she said at an Envelope Live screening of the film on Nov. 14. “It was, from the start, something that was imposed on me because I know how much the film can have a completely different impact on you when you know that you’re watching a real struggle on that big screen. You’re watching people who are really almost feeling the same circumstance and having the same struggle in their own life.â€
Labaki was joined at the screening, held at the Montalban in Hollywood, by her husband, producer Khaled Mouzanar, and actor Zain Al Rafeea.
The last talked about tapping into his own experiences as a refugee leaving in Lebanon for the role — specifically for his dialogue in the film.
“It’s a mixture of what Nadine wanted me to say and also things that I invented myself,†he said.
“It was a real collaboration between what was written and also things that he would add from his own experience. Some of the things he said were really things that he experienced,†added Labaki. “Being in those very difficult neighborhoods, he’s seen a lot of things happening to other children.â€
Envelope Live 2018: ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘Private Life’ and more »
It wasn’t just Al Rafeea who had a personal stake in the project. Mouzanar explained that he had to take a mortgage on his and Labaki’s home and also delay payments for his son’s school in order to fund the film.
“Through the whole process we were feeling that we were working on something bigger than us,†he said. “We were carrying a bigger message, something very important.â€
He explained he also had to keep the issues with his son’s tuition payments a secret from his wife. “So it was a very stressful process but the belief was always there,†he said.
Those extra sacrifices made the process of filming “a life-changing experience,†in the words of Labaki.
Thankfully, come festival season, it all paid off when the film opened to rave reviews and won the grand jury prize at Cannes in May.
“It’s also a victory for those actors who really, a week before they went to Cannes, almost all of them didn’t any papers to prove that they even exist in this life,†she explained. “They are struggling everyday to just get the most basic rights just to eat and drink and have their basics so it’s for them all of a sudden they are not only in Cannes but they are loved and appreciated by so many people.â€
And that was just the beginning, according to Labaki. When discussing the film’s final scene, she elaborated on how the actors’ lives, specifically Al Rafeea’s, have changed since the film opened.
“Finally, he has a Norwegian passport. He’s resettled in Norway. He’s been there for the past three, four months. He’s going to school for the first time in his life. He’s learning how to read and write. He’s regained his childhood. He’s playing in a garden; he’s not playing anymore with knives and in garbage. He’s playing with reindeer in the forest,†she explained.
“This smile has a completely different meaning to me now.â€
For more information on future Envelope Live screenings and events, click here.
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“Vice†was the subject of an L.A. Times Envelope Live screening and Q&A at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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An exhibit hangs in the mezzanine gallery at the the Montalbán in Hollywood, where “Vice†was screened at an L.A. Times Envelope Live event.
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Christian Bale as Dick Cheney shows onscreen as “Vice†is shown at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening in Hollywood.
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L.A. Times awards columnist Glenn Whipp takes the stage to introduce the director and editor of “Vice†at the movie’s L.A. Times Envelope Live screening.
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“Vice†director Adam McKay makes a point in the Q&A session following the screening of the movie at an L.A. Times Envelope Live event at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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“Vice†editor Hank Corwin talks with his hands during the Q&A session following the screening of the movie.
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L.A. Times columnist Glenn Whipp, left, moderates a discussion about “Vice†after it screens, chatting with director Adam McKay and editor Hank Corwin in Hollywood.
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A downpour didn’t stop Charlie Bennett from attending the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman†at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Director Spike Lee, right, arrives to the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman†in Hollywood.
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Attendees check in at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “BlacKkKlansman†in Hollywood.
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Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown catch up in the green room before the Q&A for “BlacKkKlansman.â€
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Popcorn was served up at the “BlacKkKlansman†screening in Hollywood.
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“BlacKkKlansman†screens at the L.A. Times Envelope Live event at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown talk about “BlacKkKlansman†at a Q&A at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Director Spike Lee and editor Barry Alexander Brown talk about “BlacKkKlansman†at a Q&A at the LA Times Envelope Live screening.
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Phil Lord, writer and producer of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse,†meets a fan at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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A line formed for “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse†at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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The audience watches “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse†at it’s L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
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“Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse†attracted a full house at its L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
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Bob Persichetti listens at the Q&A for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse†at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening.
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Chris Miller was part of the creation of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.†The movie screened as part of L.A. Times Envelope Live at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Rodney Rothman talks about the creation of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse†at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán in Hollywood.
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Peter Ramsey, center, one of the directors of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse,†speaks at the movie’s L.A. Times Envelope Live screening in Hollywood.
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The marquee outside of the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,†with a Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times writer Lorraine Ali to follow with director Morgan Neville.
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Fans take photos at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?â€
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At the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,†director Morgan Neville sits down for a moderated chat with L.A. Times writer Lorraine Ali.
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Moderator Lorraine Ali of the Los Angeles Times questions “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?†director Morgan Neville at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screeening of the movie.
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“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?†director Morgan Neville smiles at a Q&A moderated by Los Angeles Times writer Lorraine Ali.
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Director Morgan Neville chats with onlookers at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?â€
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Los Angeles Times writer Mark Olsen, left, discusses “The Hate U Give†with actors Regina Hall, Amandla Stenberg and director George Tillman Jr. at an Envelope Live screening at the Montalbán.
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Actor Amandla Stenberg discusses “The Hate U Give†at an Envelope Live screening.
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Director George Tillman Jr. discusses “The Hate U Give.â€
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Actors Regina Hall, left, Amandla Stenberg and director George Tillman Jr. at The Envelope Live’s presentation of “The Hate U Give.â€
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Actor Amandla Stenberg, center, takes a picture with a fan at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “The Hate U Give†at the Montalbán.
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Actor Regina Hall, center, talks with attendees at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “The Hate U Give.â€
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The marquee for the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live’s “Rise of the Documentary†panel at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Amy Kaufman moderates a “Rise of the Documentary†discussion with documentary directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (“Free Soloâ€), left, Tim Wardle (“Three Identical Strangersâ€), Betsy West (“RBGâ€), Morgan Neville (“Won’t You Be My Neighborâ€) and Sandi Tan (“Shirkersâ€) during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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“Won’t You Be My Neighbor†director Morgan Neville discusses his, and other, documentaries during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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Director Sandi Tan (“Shirkersâ€) discusses the “Rise of the Documentary†during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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Director Tim Wardle of “Three Identical Strangers†discusses with other documentarians the “Rise of the Documentary†during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event.
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“Free Solo†director Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi talks during the “Rise of the Documentary†panel during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event.
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The director of “RBG,†Betsy West, takes part in a panel -- “Rise of the Documentary†-- during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event at The Montalbán.
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“Free Solo†director Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, center, talks with attendees at a reception following “Rise of the Documentary†at a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live event.
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“Three Identical Strangers†director Tim Wardle, center, talks with attendees at a reception following the “Rise of the Documentary†panel.
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At the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair,†following the “Rise of the Documentaries†panel at The Montalbán.
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Directors Darren Foster, left, Cristina Constantini, actor Robbie Barrat, Ava DuVernay and actor Serena McCalla at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair†at The Montalbán.
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A fan of the film, director Ava DuVernay introduces “Science Fair†at Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening at The Montalbán.
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Closer on Ava DuVernay, who is introducing a screening of “Science Fair†at Los Angeles Times Envelope Live.
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Directors Cristina Constantin and Darren Fosteri stand on stage at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair†at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, directors Darren Foster, Cristina Constantini, actors Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat discuss “Science Fair.â€
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Director Darren Foster looks out at the crowd during the q&a session at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair†at The Montalbán.
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Actor Robbie Barrat makes a point at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair.â€
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Director Cristina Constantini listens while onstage at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair.â€
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Teacher/actor Serena McCalla smiles during he q&a seession at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair.â€
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, poses a question to the assembled panel including directors Darren Foster and Cristina Constantini, and actors Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat while discussing “Science Fair†during a Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening.
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, directors Darren Foster and Cristina Constantini discuss “Science Fair.â€
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Los Angeles Times writer Chris Barton, left, directors Darren Foster, Cristina Constantini, actors Serena McCalla and Robbie Barrat pose onstage at the Los Angeles Times Envelope Live screening of “Science Fair†at The Montalbán.
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L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Free “Dirty John†books for attendees at L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Free “Dirty John†books are given to attendees at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Actor Connie Britton at the Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Actors Connie Britton, left, and Julia Garner at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Director Jeffery Reiner, right, at the Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Goffard, from left, moderates a discussion with actors Connie Britton, Julia Garner, showrunner Alexandra Cunningham, executive producer Richard Suckle and director Jeffery Reiner at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Goffard, from left, moderates a discussion with actors Connie Britton, Julia Garner, showrunner Alexandra Cunningham, executive producer Richard Suckle and director Jeffery Reiner at the Envelope Live screening of “Dirty John†at The Montalbán.
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Attendees arrive for the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher†at the Montalban in Los Angeles.
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Reporter Glenn Whipp speaks during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher.â€
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Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks with reporter Glenn Whipp during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher†at the Montalbán in Los Angeles.
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Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher.â€
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Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks with reporter Glenn Whipp during the Envelope Live screening of “The Kindergarten Teacher†at the Montalbán in Los Angeles.
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Director Markus Imhoof attends the LA Times Envelope Live screening of his movie “El Dorado†at the Montalbán.
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Los Angeles Times critic Lorraine Ali, left, director Markus Imhoof and Muna Sharif of Amnesty International at the LA Times Envelope Live screening for “El Dorado.â€
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Director Markus Imhoof attended the LA Times Envelope Live screening of his movie “El Dorado.â€
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Director Markus Imhoof, center, in a Q&A for his movie “El Dorado†with Los Angles Times critic Lorraine Ali, left, and Muna Sharif at the LA Times Envelope Live screening.
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Muna Sharif, a field organizer with Amnesty International, in a Q&A for “El Dorado.â€
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Actor Zain Al Refeea, right, poses for photos at the “Capernaum†screening.
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Actor Zain Al Rafeea at the Envelope Live screening of “Capernaum.â€
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Times reporter Mark Olsen, left, discusses “Capernaum†with director Nadine Labaki, actor Zain Al Rafeea and producer Khaled Mouzanar at an Envelope Live screening of the movie.
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Director Nadine Labaki discusses “Capernaum†at the movie’s Envelope Live screening.
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Producer Khaled Mouzanar discusses “Capernaum†at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the movie at The Montalban.
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Los Angeles Times film critic Justin Chang, left, moderates a discussion with writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and actress Kathryn Hahn at The Times’ Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.â€
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Writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins at the Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.â€
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Actress Kathryn Hahn, right, writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and Times film critic Justin Chang discuss “Private Life†at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the film.
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Times film critic Justin Chang, left, writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and actress Kathryn Hahn have a hearty laugh during their discusion of “Private Life.â€
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Writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins, center, gets into the conversation with Times film critic Justin Chang and actress Kathryn Hahn at The Times’ Envelope Live screening of “Private Life†at the Montalban.
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Times film critic Justin Chang, left, moderates a discussion with writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins and actress Kathryn Hahn at The Times’ Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.â€
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Actress Kathryn Hahn, left, greets fans at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.â€
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Writer-director-producer Tamara Jenkins pauses for a photo with a fan at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Private Life.â€
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The L.A. Times Envelope Live screened “Better Call Saul†at the Montalban in Hollywood.
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Bob Odenkirk takes the stage at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul.â€
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Audience members take a selfie at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul†at the Montalban.
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“Better Call Saul†actor Bob Odenkirk with co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening.
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Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul†with actor Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould and writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz.
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The lobby at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul†at the Montalban.
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“Better Call Saul†writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz takes part in a discussion following the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of the Season 4 finale.
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A woman takes a photo outside the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul†at the Montalban.
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Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion for “Better Call Saul†with actor Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould and writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz as part of The Envelope Live.
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Audience members react to the panel at the L.A. Times Envelope Live screening of “Better Call Saul†at the Montalban.
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Los Angeles Times reporter Yvonne Villarreal moderates a discussion about “Better Call Saul†with actor Bob Odenkirk, co-creator/executive producer Peter Gould and writer/executive producer Thomas Schnauz for The Envelope Live.
(Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 
