75East Signs 'A Sad and Beautiful World' Director Cyril Aris
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai-based management and production company 75East has signed Lebanese filmmaker Cyril Aris, whose debut feature 'A Sad and Beautiful World' is making waves on the festival circuit. The film, a sweeping romance spanning three decades of passion, loss, and hope in Beirut, has already won the Audience Award at the Venice Film Festival's Giornate degli Autori section in September. It has since played at numerous festivals, including London, Athens, and Montpellier, and is set to embark on the MENA autumn circuit.
'A Sad and Beautiful World' is also Lebanon's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film stars Hassan Akil and Mounia Akl as Nino and Yasmina, two star-crossed lovers with a magnetic relationship. One is an eternal optimist, while the other is an impulsive pragmatist, torn between love and survival. They must decide whether to build a family and seek happiness in Lebanon amidst the country's unfolding tragedies.
Co-written by Aris and Bane Fakih, the film is produced by Georges Schoucair at Abbout Productions, with Jennifer Goyne Blake and April Shih from Diversity Hire, as well as Georg Neubert and Jasper Wiedhöft from Reynard Films. Aris' previous work includes the feature documentary 'Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano' (2023), which followed the shoot of long-time collaborator Akl's debut feature 'Costa Brava, Lebanon' in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut blast.
Supported by the Sundance Institute, 'Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano' premiered in competition at Karlovy Vary, receiving a jury special mention. It then toured over 80 festivals worldwide, including BFI London, CPH:DOX, and DOC NYC, winning awards in Rotterdam, Valencia, Rome, San Francisco, Marseille, and more. His debut documentary, 'The Swing' (2018), also premiered at Karlovy Vary and won multiple international awards.
Aris, a Columbia University MFA graduate, works as an editor, with credits including 'Costa Brava, Lebanon' (Venice Orizzonti, 2021). He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 75East, launched in 2023, represents exciting global filmmaking talent, particularly from the SWANA region and diaspora. Filmmakers represented by 75East include BAFTA-winner and Oscar-nominee Bassel Ghandour, Palme d’Or-nominee Abu Bakr Shawky, and Gotham Best Breakthrough Director nominee Mahdi Fleifel.
Aris is also represented by Independent Talent Group.
