Award‑Winning Drama Arrives on Screen
Cyril Aris’ much‑anticipated feature A Sad and Beautiful World will hit U.S. cinemas this summer, after a triumphant festival run that began at the Venice Film Festival. The film captured the Venice Days of Authors Audience Award, a distinction that signals both critical praise and audience affection. Watermoon Pictures will roll out the drama first in New York and Los Angeles in July, with a broader national launch following in the weeks thereafter.
A Love Story Shaped by Crisis
Set against the turbulent backdrop of Lebanon’s ongoing turmoil, A Sad and Beautiful World follows two childhood friends—Nino, an eternal optimist, and Yasmina, an impulsive pragmatist—as their bond blossoms into a deep romance across three decades. Their journey is woven through periods of war, displacement, and the relentless question of whether to remain in their homeland or seek a new life abroad. The narrative probes universal themes of love, sacrifice, and the impossible choice between staying rooted in a war‑scarred nation and pursuing safer horizons elsewhere.
The film’s central message resonates today: it asks viewers to consider what it means to build a family and imagine a future when the surrounding world seems to collapse repeatedly. Through Nino and Yasmina’s relationship, the story explores how humor and affection become shields against darkness, especially in times of crisis.
Creative Minds Behind the Project
Written and directed by Cyril Aris, with Bane Fakih co‑writing, the movie stars Mounia Akl and Hasan Askil in the lead roles, delivering nuanced performances that capture both tenderness and resolve. The production boasts an impressive crew: editor Nat Sanders, known for his work on Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk; cinematographer Joe Saade, whose visual credits include Joyland and Costa Brava, Lebanon; production designer Hanady Medlej; and costume designer Zeina Saab Demelero, noted for her contributions to Capernaum. Their combined expertise brings a rich visual and emotional texture to the film, enhancing its portrayal of personal and national history.
Festival Circuit and Oscar Bid
A Sad and Beautiful World premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, where it secured the Venice Days of Authors Audience Award. The film continued to gain recognition at a string of prestigious festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, São Paulo Film Festival, Red Sea Film Festival, and Marrakech International Film Festival. Additionally, it was selected as Lebanon’s official entry for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category, underscoring its global relevance and artistic merit.
Where to See the Film This Summer
The theatrical rollout is scheduled as follows:
- New York: Quad Cinema – July 24
- Los Angeles: Laemmle Royal – July 31
- Santa Barbara: SBIFF Film Center – July 31
- Chicago: Uprising Theater – July 31
- Eugene, Oregon: Darkside Cinema – August 7
Additional markets will be announced in the coming weeks, allowing more audiences to experience this compelling drama on the big screen.
