Lebanon Oscar Entry ‘A Sad and Beautiful World’ Sells to International Distributors (EXCLUSIVE)

“A Sad and Beautiful World,” Lebanon’s Oscar submission for the international feature race, has been acquired by a raft of distributors around the world.

Paradise City Sales has closed deals for the film in France (UFO Distribution), Germany/Austria (Neue Visionen), Spain (ADSO Films), Switzerland (Trigon Film), Turkey (Bir Film), MENA (Sunnyland), Taiwan (Sky Digi Entertainment) and Airlines (Skeye). The company is currently in negotiations with buyers in North America and Italy.

A love story spanning three decades in Beirut against the backdrop of its tumultuous history, “A Sad and Beautiful World” stars Mounia Akl (“Costa Brava, Lebanon”) as Yasmina, and Hasan Akil (“Memory Box”) as Nino, two childhood sweethearts who reunite in their late 20s and grapple with romance, harsh reality and the timeless question of bringing children into an uncertain world amid the tragedies ravaging the country. The cast is completed by Julia Kassar, Camille Salameh, Anthony Karam and Nadyn Chalhoub.

Cyril Aris previously made the documentary “Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano,” which made a splash in competition at Karlovy Vary in 2023. His first feature doc “The Swing (2018), also premiered at Karlovy Vary and earned multiple awards. “A Sad and Beautiful World” is Aris’ first narrative feature.

“A Sad and Beautiful World” is produced by prominent Lebanese producer Georges Schoucair via his Abbout Productions, 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. It is co-produced with Sunnyland Film, a member of ART and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund.

“A Sad and Beautiful World” launched from the Venice Film Festival’s independently run Giornate Degli Autori, aka Venice Days, where it tied with another title for the People’s Choice Award.