Cyril Aris’ “A Sad and Beautiful World,” a love story spanning three decades in Beirut against the backdrop of its tumultuous history, has been selected as Lebanon’s candidate for the Oscars best international feature film category.
The film stars Mounia Akl (“Costa Brava, Lebanon”) as Yasmina, and Hasan Akil (“Memory Box”) as Nino, two childhood sweethearts who reunite in their late 20s and grapple with romance, harsh reality and the timeless question of bringing children into an uncertain world amid the tragedies ravaging the country. The cast is completed by Julia Kassar, Camille Salameh, Anthony Karam and Nadyn Chalhoub.
Cyril Aris previously made the documentary “Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano,” which made a splash in competition at Karlovy Vary in 2023. His first feature doc “The Swing (2018), also premiered at Karlovy Vary and earned multiple awards. “A Sad and Beautiful World” is Aris’ first narrative feature.
“A Sad and Beautiful World” is produced by prominent Lebanese producer Georges Schoucair via his Abbout Productions, whose credits include “Costa Brava,” “Lebanon” and “Memory Box.” The film is also
produced by U.S. banner Diversity Hire (“Joyland”), alongside Reynard Films in Germany. It is co-produced with Sunnyland Film, a member of ART and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund.
“A Sad and Beautiful World” launched from the Venice Film Festival’s independently run Giornate Degli Autori, aka Venice Days, where it tied with another title for the People’s Choice Award.
France’s Paradise City Sales is handling sales on “A Sad and Beautiful World,” which will be released by Sunnyland in the Middle East and Neue Visionen in Germany.
AMPAS will unveil the 15 films shortlisted in the international feature film category on Dec. 16.
