75East, a Dubai-based management and production company, has made a significant move by signing Lebanese filmmaker Cyril Aris. His debut feature, 'A Sad and Beautiful World', is making waves on the festival circuit, having won the Audience Award at the Venice Film Festival's Giornate degli Autori section in September. The film, set across three decades in Beirut, explores themes of passion, loss, and hope through the story of star-crossed lovers Nino and Yasmina, played by Hassan Akil and Mounia Akl. It's Lebanon's submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Aris' previous credits include the feature documentary 'Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano' (2023), which followed the shoot of his long-time collaborator Akl's debut feature 'Costa Brava, Lebanon' in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut blast. This film received support from the Sundance Institute and premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it won a jury special mention. It went on to tour over 80 festivals worldwide, including BFI London and DOC NYC, and won awards in Rotterdam, Valencia, Rome, and San Francisco, among others.
Aris, a Columbia University MFA graduate, also 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 filmmaking talent from around the globe, with a focus on those from the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region and diaspora. Their roster includes 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. But here's where it gets controversial... While 'A Sad and Beautiful World' has received critical acclaim, some argue that it fails to address the political and social issues that have shaped Lebanon's history. And this is the part most people miss... The film's exploration of love and survival in the face of tragedy may be seen as a romanticized view of a country that has endured significant challenges. So, what do you think? Do you agree or disagree with this interpretation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
