Watch Skies of Lebanon

Skies of Lebanon is a heart-warming drama film directed by Chloé Mazlo and released in 2020. Set in the 1980s, the movie tells the story of Alice, a young Swiss-Lebanese woman who travels back to Beirut, Lebanon, to spend the summer with her family. Alice (played by Alba Rohrwacher) is a talented designer who has just completed her studies in Switzerland. She is excited to reconnect with her father Joseph (played by Wajdi Mouawad) and her grandmother (played by Isabelle Zighondi) after spending most of her life away from Lebanon. However, Alice soon realizes that there are still deep-rooted cultural and political tensions in her family that she must navigate.

The family owns a villa in the mountains where they spend most of their time. Mazlo beautifully captures the lush green landscapes of Lebanon and the panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea in her film, which serves as a backdrop to the emotional conflict experienced by the family members. Alice's father, Joseph, is a deeply traumatized man who has lost his wife and daughter during the Civil War. He is emotionally distant and struggles to communicate with his daughter.

Alice's grandmother, in contrast, is full of life and energy, reminiscing about the good old days and engaging in small talk with her granddaughter. She is also a collector of war memorabilia and proudly displays them in the villa—something that leaves Alice feeling uneasy.

As the story unfolds, Alice falls in love with Joseph's friend, Josephine (played by Nadine Labaki), the owner of a decadent lingerie store in Beirut. The love story that develops between Alice and Josephine is tender and heartfelt, further underlining the cultural differences between the two countries, as homosexuality was illegal in Lebanon back then.

Overall, Skies of Lebanon is a moving film that explores the complexity of familial relationships, romance, and identity in the context of political turmoil. It is a poignant narrative that shows how the past continues to shape the present and the future. Mazlo's direction is sensitive and nuanced, and the performances of the cast are outstanding.

The film is an ode to Beirut, a city that has endured many conflicts and still stands proudly as a multicultural hub in the Middle East. Skies of Lebanon pays homage to the city's resilience and beauty while highlighting the challenges faced by its citizens. It serves as a reminder that behind the headlines and the politics, there are people who deserve to be seen and heard.

In conclusion, Skies of Lebanon is a powerful movie that deserves attention. It is a testament to the power of art in bridging cultures and revealing the human experiences that bind us together. Those who watch the movie will leave with a greater appreciation for Lebanon's history and culture, as well as the beauty and resilience of its people.

Skies of Lebanon is a 2022 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.