Watch Ghadi

Ghadi is a heartwarming Lebanese film that follows the story of a small coastal town whose inhabitants are up in arms against a family who has moved in with their son Ghadi. The son, born with Down syndrome, is perceived as a curse and embarrassment to the village. His father, Leba, a music teacher, is unable to land a job in the city and is forced to move his family to this small town.

Leba is a caring father who is fiercely devoted to his son Ghadi. He uses music to teach his son life lessons, including how to be independent, which is important for someone with Down syndrome. Nevertheless, the persistent ridicule from the villagers leads Leba and his wife Lamar to keep Ghadi in their home, and away from the public eye.

Seeing the sadness that surrounds Ghadi, his father comes up with a plan to boost the morale in the town. He suggests that everyone in the town should start to act as if Ghadi has healing powers. One by one, the townfolk start to visit him for a range of ailments, including the town tough guy, who is having love troubles. However, as more people come to see Ghadi, a series of events unfolds that tests their belief in Ghadi’s healing powers.

Set against breathtaking waterfalls, the movie is both vividly picturesque and socially conscious, and it’s one of the most celebrated Lebanese films in recent years. Ghadi’s father begins to play music from the rooftop of their house, mystically conjuring rains, butterflies, boats and other phenomena, which the villagers take as a sign of Ghadi's powers. This imagery gives weight to the emotional power of the film.

Georges Khabbaz and Lara Rain brought a depth of nuance to their characters which added authenticity to the film. Khabbaz, who also wrote the script, handles the role with empathy and grace. All the actors showed a keen instinct for working under the direction of Amin Dora, who brought an unusual visual amusement to the film. Dora managed to capture the magical realism of the townfolk’s belief in Ghadi’s healing powers without losing the realism of their day-to-day lives.

At its core, Ghadi is a film about community, empathy, and the power of belief. The movie portrays a father whose love for his son transcends boundaries, and it shows how people's perceptions of disability and difference can be transformed with education and knowledge. Through the kind and thoughtful character of Ghadi, the movie provides a powerful reflection on how cruelty can be the cause of people's suffering. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope and light still exist.

The film considers the themes of death, oppression and grief, and the film excelled in showing how these themes were reflected throughout the small town. Dora handled these themes delicately, with a visual tact, which added to the overall fascination of the movie. While the plot was engaging from start to finish, the visual metaphor and underlying messages resonated deeply with its audience.

Composed by Cynthia Zaven, Nathalie Saba, and Michel Elefteriades, the original score is among the most celebrated aspects of the movie. The playful and uplifting music captures the essence of the themes of the story brilliantly well. The music creates a wonderful feeling of mysticism and otherworldliness, into which the audience can easily vanish.

Overall, Ghadi is a great watch, particularly if viewers are looking for something unique that blends magical realism, social commentary, and comedy effortlessly. It’s the type of film that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll. It's a testament to the beauty of life and the relationships that we share when we have an open heart.

Ghadi is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.