A Sad and Beautiful World (2025) by Cyril Aris: A Love Story Against the Tumult of Lebanon

Short Summary: Love's Resilience in a Broken Land A Sad and Beautiful World is a sweeping Lebanese drama that chronicles the improbable love story of Nino and Yasmina, born mere seconds apart on a dark day in Lebanon. Spanning three decades, their magnetic relationship is tested by the relentless tragedies and perpetual crises ravaging their country. As they face an impossible choice between love and survival, they must decide if they can build a family and find happiness in a land that constantly threatens to tear them apart, all set against the backdrop of a surreal cosmic event.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32622406/

About movie: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/venice-days-lebanese-a-sad-and-beautiful-world-paradise-city-1236468706/

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Theatrical Release: 2025 (World Premiere at Venice Days) A Sad and Beautiful World will have its world premiere at Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori) in 2025. It also has confirmed theatrical distribution by MC distribution in the Middle East and Neue Visionen in Germany. Specific wider theatrical release dates are still emerging.

Detailed Summary: A Love Forged in Chaos, Tested by Time A Sad and Beautiful World is an ambitious romantic drama with deep socio-political undertones.

• The film begins on Lebanon's "darkest day," when Nino (Hasan Akil), a warm-hearted idealist, and Yasmina (Mounia Akl), a wounded cynic and impulsive pragmatist, are born just seconds apart. An enigmatic star-watcher, Zachariya, foresees a surreal cosmic event linked to their lives.

• As children, they form an unbreakable bond, sharing a deep understanding of each other's struggles amidst Beirut's harsh reality. Yasmina offers Nino a chance to escape, but their plan fails, leading to their separation.

• Twenty-four years later, cosmic forces unexpectedly reunite them, and they fall deeply in love. Despite Yasmina's initial plans to emigrate, she is swept up by their love and decides to stay in Lebanon.

• The couple faces a pivotal moment when Yasmina becomes pregnant. Nino longs for a child, but Yasmina's cynicism makes her hesitant. Eventually, she realizes Nino is the man with whom she wants to build a family.

• Years later, their daughter Amal brings new life and hope to them. However, as Beirut continues to unravel due to ongoing crises, their diverging ambitions for Amal's future threaten to tear them apart. All the while, the skies erupt in a surreal spectacle, mirroring the chaos on the ground.

• The narrative spans three decades of Lebanese history, intertwining their personal love story with the significant political and social milestones and tragedies of the country.

• The film is a multi-national co-production, involving Lebanon, USA, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Director's Vision: Finding Love and Hope Amidst Despair Cyril Aris (known for documentaries like The Swing and Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano) brings a deeply personal and emotionally resonant vision to his first fiction feature film.

• Aris aims to portray a sweeping love story that "navigates the fragile line between sadness and beauty," reflecting the contradictions of Lebanese society where the "lust for love and life endures even in the darkest moments."

• He intends to explore how humor and love become shields against darkness in Lebanon's perpetual crises, embracing a "uniquely Lebanese humor" while delving into themes of parenthood and legacy.

• The director emphasizes that the film was born out of "deep love from our cast and crew, during a time when Lebanon was enduring violent upheaval amidst wider regional conflicts," highlighting the personal commitment behind the project.

• The film weaves together various genres – romantic concept, dramatic comedy – and utilizes the backdrop of a "surreal cosmic event" to add a unique layer to the narrative, suggesting fate or destiny at play in the protagonists' lives.

• Aris, also the screenwriter and editor, crafts an emotionally intense and visually engaging film, featuring deeply engaging characters and gorgeous mise-en-scène.

Themes: Love, Survival, Hope, Grief, and National Identity A Sad and Beautiful World explores profound and timely themes.

• Love and Resilience in Adversity: The central theme is the enduring power of love to survive and even thrive amidst political turmoil, conflict, and personal heartbreak.

• The Lebanese Condition: The film directly addresses the ongoing crises in Lebanon, exploring the dilemma of whether to stay and fight for a future in the country or to leave for survival.

• Hope vs. Cynicism: It contrasts Nino's idealism with Yasmina's pragmatism and cynicism, showcasing different coping mechanisms in the face of despair.

• Parenthood and Legacy: The birth of their daughter, Amal, brings new questions about building a family and securing a future in a challenging environment.

• The Weight of History: The film uses the characters' lives to explore the lasting impact of decades of conflict and tragedy on individual lives and the collective psyche.

• Cosmic Connection/Fate: The element of a foretold cosmic event adds a layer of mystical fatalism to their intertwined lives.

Key Success Factors: Emotional Depth and Relevant Story The film's potential for success lies in its blend of universal romantic drama with a specific, powerful cultural context.

• Powerful Romantic Narrative: The "star-crossed lovers" trope, combined with a decades-spanning storyline, has broad appeal.

• Timely and Resonant Context: The portrayal of Lebanon's struggles provides a compelling and relevant backdrop, offering insight into a region often misunderstood.

• Cyril Aris's Established Reputation: As an award-winning documentary filmmaker, his transition to fiction is highly anticipated, and his ability to handle sensitive themes with nuance is well-regarded.

• Strong Lead Performances: Mounia Akl and Hasan Akil are prominent Lebanese actors, bringing credibility and emotional depth to the central roles.

• International Co-Production Support: Extensive grants and selections at prestigious labs and festivals (Toronto TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Red Sea Lodge, Ateliers de l'Atlas, Doha Film Institute, Visions du Sud Est) indicate strong industry confidence and high artistic merit.

Awards and Nominations: Highly Decorated in Development and Early Festival Selection A Sad and Beautiful World has already received significant recognition during its development and production phases, indicating strong industry anticipation.

• Recipient of numerous grants and awards from major film funds and initiatives, including post-production awards from Ateliers de l'Atlas (Marrakech) and Doha Film Institute, and production grants from Red Sea Film Fund, OIF, Lebanese Film Fund, and various German funds.

• Selected at prestigious labs and markets: Toronto TIFF Filmmaker Lab, Nantucket Screenwriter Colony, MIA Co-production Market (Rome), CineGouna Platform (El-Gouna), Cité des Arts (Paris), Red Sea Lodge.

• Winner of the ART award at the 4th Beirut Cinema Platform.

• Official Selection at the 3rd Cinephilia Bound Cannes at Cannes Film Festival.

• World Premiere: The film is slated for its world premiere at Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori) in 2025. This is a highly significant platform for independent and arthouse cinema.

Critics Reception: Anticipated as an Emotionally Rich and Visually Stunning Drama While general critical reviews for its final cut are yet to be widely released (given its 2025 premiere), early industry buzz and festival selections suggest high critical praise.

• Giornate degli Autori: Highlights the film's "sad and beautiful world" by Cyril Aris, whose two protagonists are "born the same day during the bombings, then separated, and only much later reunited, by chance. Alternating light-hearted moments and flashes of deep melancholy, the film is about their stubborn attempts to believe in love and to stay human while the world all around them collapses."

• Yahoo News (Variety Exclusive): Calls it a "deeply charming film that blends a powerful romantic concept with the backdrop of a country in turmoil," praising its emotional pulse, engaging characters, and "gorgeous mise-en-scène."

• Cineuropa: Notes its selection within a lineup of films that explore "an urgency to examine the times in which we're living, war and exile, but also love, family and individual memory."

• Overall Summary (Anticipated): Critics are expected to laud A Sad and Beautiful World for its ambitious scope, emotional depth, and stunning visuals. It will likely be praised for its ability to weave a compelling personal narrative into the fabric of Lebanon's turbulent history, offering a poignant reflection on the human capacity for love and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Reviews: Expected to Resonate Deeply with Audiences Audience reviews are anticipated to reflect a strong emotional connection to the characters and their struggles.

• Viewers will likely be moved by the central love story and the challenges the couple faces.

• The film's portrayal of Lebanon and its struggles will resonate with those interested in the region's history and current events.

• The balance between moments of levity and deep melancholy will likely be appreciated for its realistic depiction of life.

• Overall Summary (Anticipated): Reviews are expected to highlight the film's emotional impact, its beauty despite its sadness, and its ability to inspire hope even in dire circumstances. It will likely be seen as a powerful and resonant cinematic experience.

Release date on streaming: To Be Confirmed (Likely Late 2025 / Early 2026) The streaming release date for A Sad and Beautiful World is to be confirmed. Given its 2025 theatrical release and festival run, it will likely become available on digital platforms (VOD) and potentially specialized arthouse or international streaming services in late 2025 or early 2026.

Why to watch this movie: For an Epic, Heartfelt Love Story with a Powerful Backdrop A Sad and Beautiful World offers a compelling watch for viewers seeking:

• A Grand Romantic Epic: It promises a sweeping love story that spans decades and is deeply intertwined with historical events.

• Insight into Lebanon's Story: The film provides a poignant and humanizing look at a country often defined by conflict, showcasing the resilience and spirit of its people.

• Emotional Depth and Nuance: It balances moments of joy and humor with profound sadness and existential questions.

• Auteur Cinema from an Emerging Voice: Cyril Aris is a highly acclaimed director transitioning to fiction, offering a fresh and personal perspective.

• Visually Stunning Cinematography: With praise for its "gorgeous mise-en-scène," the film is expected to be a visual treat.

What Movie Trend film is following: Intergenerational Historical Drama / Resilience in Conflict Zones / Melancholic Romance A Sad and Beautiful World fits squarely within the trend of Intergenerational Historical Dramas, particularly those focusing on Resilience in Conflict Zones, often with a Melancholic Romantic tone. These films use personal narratives to explore the broader historical and political struggles of a nation, emphasizing the human capacity for love, survival, and hope amidst prolonged adversity. They often span significant periods of time and intertwine individual destinies with national narratives.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Human Cost of Geopolitical Instability / The Global Refugee Crisis & Dilemma of Home A Sad and Beautiful World directly addresses the significant global social trend of the human cost of geopolitical instability and the resulting dilemma of staying or leaving one's homeland, often linked to the broader refugee and displacement crises. By portraying Nino and Yasmina's struggle to build a life and family in a perpetually turbulent Lebanon, the film illuminates the deeply personal impact of political and economic collapse. It resonates with the universal questions faced by countless individuals worldwide: how to maintain hope, identity, and connections when one's home country is ravaged by tragedy, and whether a future can be built there, or if emigration is the only path to survival and happiness.

Final Verdict: A Poetic and Profound Cinematic Masterpiece in the Making Cyril Aris's A Sad and Beautiful World is poised to be a powerful and deeply moving cinematic experience. With its ambitious scope, intimate character study, and profound engagement with Lebanon's tumultuous history, it promises to be an emotionally rich and visually stunning film. For audiences who appreciate a love story that is both grand and personal, hopeful yet melancholic, and deeply rooted in a relevant geopolitical context, this film will undoubtedly be a standout and an essential watch. Its early accolades suggest it is a significant work of art by a director coming into his own in fiction.