Paradise City Sales has boarded “A Sad and Beautiful World,” Lebanese filmmaker Cyril Aris’s movie which is slated to world premiere at Venice Days.
“A Sad and Beautiful World” is headlined by Lebanese stars Mounia Akl (“Costa Brava,” “Lebanon”) as Yasmina, and Hasan Akil (Memory Box”) as Nino.
A love story spanning three decades, the film revolves around Nino and Yasmina who find themselves drawn together and faced with an impossible as they must decide if they want to build a family despite the tragedies ravaging the country. The cast is completed by Julia Kassar, Camille Salameh, Anthony Karam, and Nadyn Chalhoub.
The film is produced by Georges Schoucair at Abbout Productions, one of Lebanon’s top producers 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.
“A deeply charming film that blends a powerful romantic concept with the backdrop of a country in turmoil,” said Paradise City Sales’ head of sales Alexandre Moreau, adding that film “pulses with emotion and hope, featuring deeply engaging characters and gorgeous mise en scène, making it a true crowd-pleaser.”
Aris said “’A Sad and Beautiful World’ was born out of deep love from our cast and crew, during a time when Lebanon was enduring violent upheaval amidst wider regional conflicts.”
“The film navigates the fragile line between sadness and beauty, reflecting the contradictions of our society, where the lust for love and life endures even in the darkest moments,” Aris continued.
“A Sad and Beautiful World” will be released by MC distribution in the Middle East and Neue Visionen in Germany.
The film received production and post-production support from the Marrakech Film Festival’s Ateliers de l’Atlas, as well as the Doha Film Institute, Visons sur Est and Red Sea Film Fund, among others.
Aris previously directed documentaries such as “The Swing” which premiered at Karlovy Vary, and “Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano” which won a Special Jury Mention at Karlovy Vary and screened at BFI London, among 80 festivals worldwide.
“A Sad and Beautiful World” joins Paradise City’s line-up which also features “Primavera,” set for Toronto; “I Only Rest in the Storm” by Pedro Pinho, which premiered at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” which will play at Toronto and Cannes, Gala, Un Certain Regards, Cannes)
Unidentified by Haifaa Al-Mansour and Wolfram by Warwick Thornton (production).
variety.com
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